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Describe artificial brooding of layer chicks from day old up to eight weeks.
Describe artificial brooding of layer chicks from day old up to eight weeks.
- Construct the brooder 2 – 3 days before the arrival of chicks.
- Clean and disinfect the brooder.
- Place litter on the flour 10cm deep. preferably saw dust
- Spread newspapers on the litter to prevent the chicks from eating litter
- Clean and disinfect the equipment and test them to ensure they are working
- Lit the brooder 6 hours before the arrival of chicks
- Put feed and water in the containers
- Confine the brooder space to prevent the chicks straying from the source of heat
- Placethe chicks in the brooder during the day to familiarize with the brooder
- If they are stressed and weak on arrival, they should be given glucose in water
- If source of heat is charcoal burners, they should be guarded with wire mesh.
- Feed the chicks on chick marsh for fast growth, which is later mixed with growers mash.
- Provide clean water regularly
- Given the chicks constant attention in the first 2 weeks
- Remove the dead chicks from the brooder
- Vaccinate the chicks against Gambaro at 2 weeks, Newcastle at 4 weeks and fowl typhoid at 7 weeks of age
- Dust the chicks against external parasites
- Provide coccidiostats in water to control coccidiosis.
- Provide adequate water and feed troughs
- Isolate and treat the sick chicks immediately
- Keep proper records
- Provide roosts for chicks to perch on the 6th week
- Introduce growers mash mixed with chick mash on the 7th week
- De-break the chicks 10 days before and after brooding
- Remove chicks from the brooder to the main house on 8wk
- Provide litter 30cm deep on the flour to maintain warmth
- Maintain the correct temperature in the brooder according to age
- Maintain proper ventilation by adjusting the openings
- Provide appropriate light (dim light)
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