Feeding density and environmental conditions of chicks

1. Feeding density is generally adjusted appropriately according to the season and the bodyweight of the broiler. If the stocking density is too high, it is inconvenient for broilers to rest and eat, the order of the chickens is chaotic, and the environment is getting worse and worse, the chickens will grow slowly, the disease will increase, growth will be very inconsistent, and mortality will increase. Whether the stocking density is appropriate depends mainly on whether a suitable living environment in the chicken house can always be maintained.

Raising on the ground in winter, because ventilation is restricted by temperature, it is prone to respiratory diseases, generally do not increase the stocking density. Farmers with inexperience in raising broilers at a lower density at the beginning can obtain a higher success rate.

2. Environmental control Environmental conditions directly affect the survival rate and growth rate of chicks. Broiler chickens have stricter requirements on environmental conditions, and the relationship between growth and the environment is closer. Once affected, the consequences are serious and difficult to compensate. Special attention should be given.

(1) Temperature. The brooding temperature has a great influence on the body temperature regulation, exercise, feeding, drinking, and feed digestion and absorption of broilers. The insufficient temperature in the early stage of brooding or too low brooding temperature, the chicks appear to be crowded together, slow to move, which affects the feeding, reduces the feed conversion rate, and malabsorption of the yolk. In severe cases, it can be killed by squeezing, and it is easy to develop colds, diarrhoea and other diseases. The too high temperature will affect the normal metabolism of chicks, reduce appetite, drink too much water, weak body, slow growth and development, and be prone to pecking.

When the difference between the outside temperature and body temperature is more than 8C, it is easy to cause death. In the first 2 weeks, the chickens have poor body temperature regulation and need to rely on the ambient temperature to adjust.

The body temperature of broiler chicks after they emerge from the shell is 39~41C. Because the chicks just out of the shell have no body temperature regulation ability, it is usually 15 to 20 days of age that their body temperature regulation function is well developed before they can maintain constant body temperature. Therefore, suitable temperature is the key to successful brooding. The ideal brooding environment temperature should be high, medium and low. Due to the temperature difference, air convection can be promoted and the chicks can freely choose a place that suits their needs. Weak chicks can choose a place with a higher temperature...

The temperature of brooding is particularly important in the first week. The temperature can be set slightly higher in the first 3 days, 32~35C is a high temperature, and 21~26C is low temperature. Use a thermometer to measure the room temperature. The thermometer should be hung on a wall far away from the heat source, 1 meter above the bedding. As the week age increases, the temperature in the brooding room can be reduced by 3C per week until about 16C. If the cooling rate is too fast, it is difficult for the meat young to adapt, and the cooling rate is too slow for feather growth. Don't make the temperature rise and fall suddenly. The temperature used during the brooding period can be flexibly controlled according to the season, climate, feeding method, and the physique of the chicks to achieve the ideal feeding effect. In hot seasons or hot areas, effective cooling measures should be taken, and night feeding should be carried out. If necessary, cold water mixture should be used to promote food intake and weight gain.