BROODING
MANAGEMENT
BROODING
Starts as soon as the chicks are
placed in the brooder area where
heat is supplied until the chicks
gave grown to the point where
they no longer need additional
heat to keep them comfortable.
This period last approximately 4
weeks.
2 types of brooder
1. Battery-type brooder- Composed of
compartments called tiers constructed on top
of another, each compartment equipped with
separate heater and provisions for feeding and
drinking.
2. Cage brooder- Can be elevated
slatted-floor od litter-floor type with
capacity varying from few to several
hundreds.
Temperature requirement:
1 week- 32.2 35 degree
1-2 weeks – 29.4 32.2 degree
2-3 weeks – 26.7- 29.4 degree
3-4 weeks – 26.7 below
Growing Period
- 26 degree or cooler temperature.
The chicks physiological reaction
to existing environmental
temperature will indicate whether
the temperature is right or too low
or too high.
Floor space requirements:
Egg-type chickens
- 1 day – 3weeks *.3 sq.ft/bird
- 3-8 weeks *.5 sq.ft/bird
- 8-12 weeks *1.0 sq.ft/bird
Meat-type chicken
- 1 day- 2weeks *.3ft sq./bird
- 2wks *Market age 1.0 ft sq./bird
• After 12 weeks, the floor space
requirement of growing pullets
varies according the system of
housing used.
Litter floor- 2.0- 2.5 sq ft./bird
Slat floor- 1.5-2.0 sq ft./bird
Cages- .75- 1.0 sq ft./bird
Sources of heat for brooders :
• Electricity
• LPG
• Infrared lamp
• Kerosene lamp
• Charcoal
Light requirement:
• Light requirement is very
important in the development of
new layers.
• The correct light to dark ratio in
the rearing house will influence
the production of larger egg.
• During the first few days of brooding,
lighting the chicks throughout the
night (24hrs light) is favorable for
growth because there is eating time
if food is available.
• The light in the brooder will
encourage the birds to keep close to
source of heat, fees and water.
•Cardinal rule: Never increase
light during growing period and
decrease light during the laying
period.
* Increasing day length (light)
during the growing period of
birds will hasten their sexual
maturity, which will result to
production of more pullet
eggs (small eggs), layers are
prone to prolapse and
shorter egg production cycle.