Poultry Management I – SS1 Livestock Farming Lesson Note (Second Term)

Poultry management in the first weeks is the care of day-old chicks so that they survive and grow well.

• House preparation: cleaning and warming the house before the chicks arrive.
• Brooding: giving the chicks heat until they can keep themselves warm.
• Feeding and watering: chick starter and clean water at all times.
• Vaccination: protecting healthy birds against diseases such as Newcastle disease and Gumboro.

Behavioural objectives

By the end of the lesson, students should be able to:

1. describe how to prepare a house before day-old chicks arrive;
2. define brooding and explain the use of a brooder house;
3. tell from the chicks’ behaviour whether the heat is too low, too high or correct;
4. state the feeding and watering rules for chicks;
5. outline a common vaccination schedule and the tips for vaccinating birds.

What is a day-old chick?

A day-old chick (DOC) is a newly hatched chick bought from a hatchery within about one day of hatching.

• Fragile: it has just come out of the egg and has very few feathers.
• Cannot keep warm: it depends on an outside heat source.
• Easily stressed: the trip from the hatchery is tiring for it.

What should be done before the chicks arrive?

Before day-old chicks arrive, the house must be cleaned, disinfected, littered and warmed.

• Sanitation: wash and disinfect the house about two weeks before the chicks arrive.
• Litter: spread dry wood shavings about 2 to 3 inches deep on the floor.
• Warmth: switch on the heat source (charcoal pot or heat lamps) at least 6 hours before arrival so the room is already warm.
• Feeders and drinkers: wash them and place them in the brooding area before the chicks come.
• Anti-stress: keep glucose or anti-stress vitamins ready to add to the first drinking water.
• Repairs: block holes and cracks to keep out rats, snakes and cold draughts.

What is brooding?

Brooding is the care and warming of young chicks from hatching until they have enough feathers to control their own body temperature.

• Length: usually from day 1 to about 4 to 6 weeks.
• Temperature: about 32 to 35 °C in the first week, then lowered by about 3 °C each week.
• Ventilation: fresh air must enter without a cold draught blowing on the chicks.

What is a brooder house?

A brooder house is a house, or a small area inside a poultry house, where heat is kept for young chicks.

• Brooder guard: a wooden, metal or cardboard ring that keeps the chicks close to the heat.
• Purpose of the guard: it stops chicks from wandering away and getting cold.
• Guard removal: the guard is widened over the first days and removed when the chicks no longer need it.

What are the heat sources for brooding?

Brooding heat comes from charcoal pots, heat lamps or bulbs, and other stoves or heaters.

• Charcoal pot: cheap and common where electricity supply is poor.
• Electric heat lamp or bulb: gives steady heat when power is available.
• Kerosene stove or gas brooder: other options used on some farms.

How can you tell if the brooder heat is correct?

You can tell the heat is correct by watching how the chicks are spread inside the brooder.

How do you feed and water chicks?

Chicks are fed chick starter and given clean water at all times.

• Chick starter: a feed high in protein (about 20 to 22%) given in the first weeks to build the body fast.
• Feeding period: chick starter is given for about the first 4 to 6 weeks, after which the feed is changed.
• Half-full feeders: keep feeders about half full, because birds scratch out and waste feed from full feeders.
• Water: give water ad libitum (always available) and never let drinkers go dry.
• Clean drinkers: wash drinkers every day, because dirty water spreads disease.
• First drink: add glucose or anti-stress vitamins to the water on arrival.

Why is vaccination important for poultry health?

Vaccination is giving birds a weakened or killed germ so that they build protection against a disease.

• Newcastle disease: a viral disease that can cause heavy losses on a farm.
• Gumboro disease: a viral disease that damages the immune system of young birds.
• Prevention: there is no good cure for these viral diseases, so vaccination is the main protection.

What is a common vaccination schedule?

A common schedule vaccinates against Marek’s disease, Newcastle disease and Gumboro in the first four weeks.

• Note: this is a guide. A veterinary doctor gives the exact schedule for your area.

What are the tips for vaccinating birds?

• Healthy birds only: sick birds may not respond to the vaccine and may become worse.
• Cool time of day: vaccinate in the early morning or late evening.
• No chlorine: do not use chlorinated tap water, because chlorine kills the vaccine. Use clean well water or rainwater.
• Use it quickly: give a mixed vaccine soon, because it loses strength.
• Keep it cold: store vaccines in a cool place or fridge as the label says.

What are the golden rules of chick management?

The four golden rules of chick management are cleanliness, warmth, feed and water.

• Cleanliness: change the litter when it is wet and wash drinkers daily.
• Warmth: if the chicks are huddling or shivering, add heat.
• Feed: give chick starter and keep feeders half full.
• Water: give clean water at all times.
• Observation: watch the birds’ behaviour, because it shows what they need.

Evaluation

1. Define brooding and state how long it usually lasts.
2. You find all the chicks crowded under the heat lamp and peeping loudly. Is the house too hot or too cold?
3. Why do we give anti-stress vitamins to chicks when they arrive from the hatchery?
4. State two signs that chicks are too hot.
5. Why should tap water not be used to give vaccines?

Assignment

Name the heat sources mentioned in this lesson and explain how a brooder guard helps to keep chicks warm.