Chapter 2: Carry out chick brooding

Chick brooding is a critical stage in poultry production where newly hatched chicks are provided with optimal conditions to ensure survival, growth, and development. In Kenya, where poultry farming is a vital source of income and nutrition, effective brooding practices directly impact flock performance and profitability. This chapter delves into the essential tools, equipment, and materials required for successful chick brooding, with a focus on practical applications relevant to Kenyan poultry producers. Understanding these resources enables farmers to create an environment that supports healthy chicks and minimizes losses.

2.1 Chick brooder tools, equipment and materials

Brooding is the care of day-old chicks during their first weeks, when they cannot yet keep themselves warm. A chick has little down and a weak ability to control its body temperature, so it depends on the brooder for heat, clean water, feed it can reach, and clean air. Good brooding tools, equipment and materials give a high survival rate and an even, fast-growing flock. A poultry technician must know what each item does, how to set it up before the chicks arrive and how to use it safely. The table summarises the items.

Brooder thermometer

A brooder thermometer shows whether the chicks are in the right temperature zone. It is hung at the height of the chicks' backs, a little away from the heat source, because the air at the heater is warmer than the temperature the chicks feel.

• Starting temperature: About 32 to 35 °C at chick level in the first week.
• Reducing it: The temperature is lowered by about 2 to 3 °C each week, as the chicks grow feathers, until it matches the house temperature.
• Reading: Read at least morning, midday and night, and recorded.
• Check on the chicks: Chicks spread out evenly are comfortable. Chicks huddled together or under the heater are cold. Chicks panting and moving away from the heat are too hot.
• Care: Kept clean and checked from time to time against another thermometer.

Charcoal jiko

A charcoal jiko is a metal stove used to warm the brooder where electricity is not available. It is widely available and cheap to run, and heat can be adjusted by changing the amount of charcoal and the air supply.

• Fumes: Burning charcoal produces carbon monoxide, which is poisonous. The charcoal is lit outside until it has stopped smoking, and the brooder has good ventilation. A flue or chimney carries fumes out of the house.
• Guard: A wire guard keeps chicks away from the hot metal.
• Position: Stoves are placed on a firm, non-flammable base, away from litter and curtains.
• Refuelling: Charcoal is added in the evening and checked through the night, because the heat falls as it burns out.
• Fire safety: Water, sand or a fire extinguisher is kept close.

Infra-red bulb

An infra-red bulb is a heat lamp. It warms the chicks beneath it, not the whole air in the house. It is clean and simple to use and easy to adjust where mains electricity is reliable.

• Setting up: One or more bulbs hang in a safe holder over the brooder floor. The supplier's guide shows how many chicks one bulb can warm.
• Height: The bulb is raised or lowered until the chicks spread out evenly in the warm circle.
• Safety: Wiring is sound, the bulb is held by a chain or rope and fitted with a guard, and it is kept away from litter that can burn.
• Power failure: A spare bulb and a second heat source are kept ready in case of a power cut.
• Cleaning: The bulb and reflector are dusted when cool.

Gas burner

A gas burner heats a hover or canopy above the chicks and gives steady, even heat for larger groups of chicks.

• Control: The flame is adjusted with a regulator or thermostat so that temperature stays steady.
• Ventilation: Burning gas uses oxygen and gives off fumes, so the brooder is ventilated.
• Gas safety: The cylinder stands upright outside or in a secure place. Hoses and joints are checked for leaks with soapy water, never with a flame.
• Guard: A guard protects the chicks from the heater.
• Spare cylinder: A full spare cylinder is kept, because running out of gas in the night chills the chicks.

Kerosene lamp

A kerosene lamp or stove is sometimes used as a heat source for a small group of chicks when no other source is available. It is a poor choice among the heat sources because it is a fire risk and gives off fumes, so it is used with care.

• Position: On a firm, level base, shielded from draughts and away from litter and curtains.
• Fumes: The room is ventilated, and the wick is trimmed so it does not smoke.
• Refilling: Done outdoors when the lamp is cool and in daylight, and spilled fuel is wiped up.
• Guard: A wire guard keeps chicks from the flame.
• Monitoring: The lamp is checked often during the night.

Chick feeder

Chicks need feed within hours of arrival. A chick feeder is shallow and small so that chicks can reach feed and walk into it.

• First days: Feed is placed on egg trays or paper and in shallow trays so the chicks find it easily.
• Later: Tube feeders or small troughs replace the trays as chicks grow, and are raised to the height of their backs.
• Quantity: Small amounts are put out several times a day to keep the feed fresh.
• Space: Enough feeder space is given so that every chick can eat at the same time.
• Cleaning: Feeders are washed regularly to prevent mould, and spilled feed is removed.

Chick drinker

A chick drinker provides clean water. Chicks must find water immediately, so drinkers are put out before they arrive.

• Type: Small plastic fountain drinkers or nipple drinkers designed for chicks.
• Position: Placed on a firm base or hung so that the rim is at the height of the chicks' backs.
• Water: Clean, cool water, not cold water that chills the chicks, replaced daily. Any vitamin or electrolyte in the water follows the supplier's or veterinarian's advice.
• Safety: Shallow drinkers or pebbles in the water trough prevent chicks from drowning.
• Training: The beaks of a few chicks are gently dipped into the water to teach them to drink.

Hygrometer

A hygrometer measures the humidity of the air in the brooding area. In brooding, the right humidity reduces dehydration and dust.

• Target: About 60 to 70% in the first days, falling to about 50 to 60% as the chicks grow.
• Too dry: Air that is too dry dries the chicks and raises dust, which causes respiratory problems.
• Too humid: Air that is too humid wets the litter and encourages ammonia, mould and coccidiosis.
• Position: Hung at chick height away from drinkers.
• Action: Humidity is raised by open water containers or a damp cloth near the heat, and lowered by more ventilation and drier litter.

Brooder guards

A brooder guard, or chick guard, is a circular or rectangular wall of wood, cardboard or wire mesh, about 30 to 50 cm high, which keeps chicks near the heat, water and feed in the first week.

• Purpose: Keeps chicks from wandering into cold areas and prevents crowding in corners.
• Shape: A circular guard has no corners where chicks can pile up.
• Space: The guard is widened daily as the chicks grow, and removed after about a week to ten days.
• Draughts: Solid guards protect chicks from draughts at floor level.
• Cleaning: Washed and disinfected between batches.

Materials used in brooding

• Bedding: Wood shavings, maize husks and sawdust absorb moisture and cushion the chicks' feet. Sawdust is checked to be free of chemicals and fine dust. Straw absorbs less and can grow mould.
• Paper: Newspaper or cardboard can cover the litter for the first days so chicks find feed, but it is changed often.
• Heat retention: Foil-covered boards, reflective boards or foam boards behind and around the brooder help to hold warmth, especially in cool highland areas.
• Cleaning materials: Detergents and approved disinfectants are used for cleaning the brooder before and after each batch.

Maintenance and safe handling of brooder equipment

• Before the chicks arrive: Heaters, thermostats, bulbs, drinkers and feeders are checked and the heat source is run for several hours to warm the house.
• Daily: Feeders and drinkers are washed, damp litter is removed and temperatures are recorded.
• Repair: Broken equipment is repaired or replaced promptly.
• Fire and electrical safety: Wiring, gas connections and fuel handling are checked regularly.
• Guards: Secure guards keep chicks in and predators out.

Chapter Summary

This chapter covered the essential tools, equipment, and materials required for effective chick brooding, emphasizing their selection and proper use. The construction of a suitable brooder was discussed, highlighting the importance of design in maintaining chick comfort and safety. Procedures for disinfecting the brooder and its equipment were explained to prevent disease outbreaks. Instructions on setting up brooder equipment focused on ensuring optimal conditions for chick growth. Monitoring the microclimate within the brooder was presented as critical to maintaining appropriate temperature and humidity levels. Feeding practices suitable for brooding chicks were outlined to support healthy development. The chapter also addressed the establishment of bio-safety structures to protect chicks from pathogens, alongside vaccination protocols to enhance their immunity. Effective predator control measures were described to safeguard the chicks, while maintaining accurate brooding records was emphasized for management and evaluation purposes. Lastly, proper waste management techniques were detailed to maintain hygiene and prevent environmental contamination.