Chick Placement

Recommended environmental conditions at placement:

• Air temperature (measured at chick height in the area where feed and water are positioned):
  • 30^oC/86^oF for whole-house brooding
  • 32^oC/90^oF at edge of brooder for spot brooding
• Litter temperature:
  • 28-30^oC /82.4-86.0^oF
• Vent temperature:
  • 39.4-40.5^oC/103-105^oF
• RH:
  • 60-70%

Air speed

• Maximum of 0.15 meters per second (30 ft per minute)

CO₂

• <3000 ppm

Feed:

• Dust-free crumble or mini-pellet. A total feed amount of approximately 40g/1.5oz per bird should be measured out and fed on the paper prior to chick placement.

Water temperature:

• 18-21^oC/64-70^oF

Drinkers

Feeders:

• Feeder trays: 1 per 100 chicks for broilers or per 80 chicks parent stock and/or on paper occupying at least 80% of the floor.

Litter depth:

• 2-5cm/0.8-2 inches

Light intensity:

• Broilers: 30-40 lux (2.8-3.7 fc)
• Parent stock: 80-100 lux (7.4-9.3 fc) in area with food and water and 1-2 lux (0.09-0.2 fc) in rest of house.

Feed form:

2 hours after chick placement

Crop fill

• Target crop fill 75% of chicks sampled should have a full crop

Check water levels in supplementary drinkers and feed amounts on paper

• Are chicks feeding and drinking?

4 hours after chick placement

Crop fill

• Target crop fill 80% of chicks sampled should have a fill crop

Check water levels in supplementary drinkers and feed amounts on paper

• Do feed and water lavels need topped up?