American Silki Bantam hen at Nyakwar Sana farm in Sagero village Suna West on June 29, 2021. [Caleb Kingwara, Standard]
Most commercial poultry farmers are concentrated within Nairobi and its environments. Lately, temperatures have been on the decline affecting poultry production. For the chicks in brooders, the challenge is to maintain correct body temperatures for the first 14-21 days. This is the most critical period and any mistakes may be costly. Here are six fundamental activities that must be done right for good performance and reduced mortality.
1. Pre-Placement Preparation
Always prepare the units way before the chicks' arrival. The units need to be clean and disinfected. The units must be covered with curtains to conserve heat. A false ceiling is also good. Cover the floor with softwood shavings evenly spread at depth of 8-10cm deep. Charcoal burner or gas brooder must be introduced 24 hours before chick arrival. The use of infrared bulbs tends to scorch or burn the surface instead of providing warmth.
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2. Feed Management
In the first three days, place feed on craft paper or old newspapers to give every chick easy access. Supplement this with trays at the ratio of one tray to 100 birds. This should then gradually be replaced with tube feeders by day seven. Never put feeders under the heat stoves or brooders as nutrients will be lost. Walk around the brooders to encourage the chicks to feed and drink water. Do quick crop checks by feeling the consistency of the crop fill at the neck of an individual bird.
3. Light Management
Continuous lighting should be provided for the first three days for the birds to locate feed and water. Light intensity should be moderate (candle light intensity is good enough). From the third day, gradually reduce day lengths weekly to introduce at least six hours of darkness to allow birds time to rest.
4. Water Management
It is extremely essential that fresh cool and portable water is accessible to all the chicks. Use of chick fonts of one gallon capacity with additional mini drinkers are recommended in the first 10 days at rates of one per 50 chicks. Ensure the water equipment do not leak or spill to dampen the litter. Wet litter is associated with gastrointestinal infections.
5. Temperature Management
The units should be pre-heated 24 hours before chick placement, to warm the litter, floor and air around. During the first week, litter temperature should be kept at 32-35 degrees Celsius and gradually reduced by three degrees every week. The aim is to create a comfort zone where the chick does not have to make a choice between feed, water or heat. Use brooder guard to confine birds close to brooders. Ensure the chicks are under 24 hours observation for the first seven days to avoid over heating or chilling.
6. Ventilation
Occasionally open windows and doors to remove waste gases and moisture from the units.
[The writer is Head vet at Kenchic, watsonmesso@yahoo.com]
