First, the physiological characteristics of chicks are unique and require special attention during the brooding period.
1. **Rapid Growth and Development**: From birth to 42 days of age, laying hens can gain up to 11 times their initial body weight. This indicates a very active metabolism and fast growth. Therefore, it's crucial to provide a nutrient-rich, balanced diet during this critical phase to support their development.
2. **Weak Thermoregulation**: Chicks are born with a weak ability to regulate body temperature. Their small bodies are covered in downy feathers that offer little insulation. As a result, they are highly sensitive to temperature changes. Proper warmth must be maintained throughout the brooding period. As the chicks grow, their feathers develop, improving their thermoregulatory abilities over time.
3. **Immature Digestive System**: Although chicks have a high metabolic rate, their digestive organs are still developing. They have limited stomach capacity and poor digestion efficiency. For this reason, feed should be easily digestible and rich in nutrients to meet their energy and growth needs.
4. **Low Disease Resistance**: Due to their small size and underdeveloped immune systems, chicks are prone to diseases. It is essential to maintain strict hygiene and implement effective disease prevention measures to ensure their health.
5. **Timid and Social Behavior**: Chicks are naturally timid and easily startled. A calm and quiet environment is necessary to reduce stress. Sudden noises or disturbances should be avoided, and non-essential people should not enter the brooding area.
6. **Feather Replacement Cycle**: Chicks undergo four major feather replacements at around 4–5, 7–8, 12–13, and 18–20 weeks of age. During these periods, their dietary protein requirements increase significantly to support healthy feather growth.
Second, proper preparation before brooding is essential for success.
1. **Brooding Methods**:
- **Ground Brooding**: Suitable for small-scale operations, this method is cost-effective but requires frequent cleaning to prevent disease outbreaks like coccidiosis.
- **Cage Brooding**: This method is more hygienic, easier to manage, and helps reduce disease incidence.
- **Litter Brooding**: Often used in larger farms, it allows for better space utilization and improved brooding efficiency.
2. **Preparation Before Brooding**: One week before bringing in the chicks, all equipment such as coops, cages, and feeding tools should be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected using formalin fumigation. Waterers and feeders should be treated with disinfectants like 100 toxin-killing or 120. Two days before brooding, the house should be warmed to around 35°C with humidity maintained at about 70% to create an ideal environment for the chicks.
3. **Brooding Plan**: A detailed plan should be developed based on farm conditions, including technical and economic targets, feed supply schedules, disease prevention strategies, and management practices during the brooding stage. This ensures smooth operations and maximizes chick survival and growth.
By understanding these physiological traits and properly preparing for the brooding process, farmers can significantly improve the health and productivity of their poultry.
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