Brooding 101

Charles Stewart Day-Old Chicks, established in 1958, is a leading producer and supplier of high-quality, affordable day-old chicks in Zimbabwe. We are dedicated to empowering farmers nationwide by providing superior chicks that support sustainable poultry farming through innovation, efficiency, and excellence. Our commitment ensures that farmers receive vigorous, healthy chicks that grow into productive flocks.

Ross 308 Broiler Day-Old Chicks Are Renowned For

• Excellent feed conversion ratio, helping reduce feed costs.
• Rapid growth rate for quicker market readiness.
• High meat yield, maximizing profitability.
• Adaptability to various management and environmental systems, making them suitable for diverse farming conditions.

By taking the following steps one can ensure the health, vitality, and survival of day-old chicks.

Building Materials

• Building materials commonly include bricks, wood for roof beams, and concrete for the floor and foundation. A door should be placed on one of the sidewalls for easy entry.
• The floor should be a smooth concrete slab for easy cleaning and to prevent disease.

Stocking Density — Traditional Open House

• Stocked at a density of 10 to 15 birds per square meter, so for 100 chicks, a floor area of about 7 to 10 square meters is required.
• Maintain recommended stocking densities to avoid overcrowding — approximately 30 chicks per square meter in the first week.

Feeders

• Ensure the correct number and size of feeders and water fonts (e.g. for 100 chicks, 4 feeders and 4 water fonts).
• Initially in chick fonts or trays, then tube feeders after 4 days.
• Position feeders and drinkers so chicks do not move more than 1 meter to access feed and water.
• Feeders and drinkers should be adjusted in height as the birds grow to maximise feed efficiency.

Lighting

• Proper light intensity and even distribution are essential for the health and growth of broiler chicks.
• Use energy-efficient lighting such as fluorescent or LED bulbs, providing approximately 1 watt per 1.11 square meters.
• Ensure lights are mounted evenly to prevent dark spots, and maintain them by cleaning and replacing bulbs regularly.

Ventilation

• The broiler house should have an open-sided design with partly solid sidewalls (25 – 50 cm high) and upper sections made of chicken mesh wire.
• The pitched, insulated corrugated iron roof helps reduce heat buildup by allowing hot air to rise.
• Ventilation is enhanced with roof nook vents or slanted roofs.
• Adjustable curtains or vents opening from top to bottom regulate airflow and temperature while preventing chilling drafts.
• Fresh air must be available without drafts at chick level, maintaining oxygen, carbon dioxide, and moisture balance to keep chicks healthy and litter dry.

Temperature Control

• Arrange brooders centrally to evenly distribute heat, allowing chicks to move toward or away from the heat source to regulate body temperature.
• Use reliable thermometers at chick height to monitor the temperature.
• Prepare backup power sources if needed.

By taking the following steps one can ensure the health, vitality, and survival of day-old chicks during the critical collection and initial transportation phase:

• Collect chicks early in the morning when temperatures are cooler to reduce heat stress and dehydration during transport. Avoid collecting them in the heat of the day to minimise mortality risks.
• Inspect the chicks immediately upon receipt for quality. Check that they are alert, active, standing, have healed navels, and show no deformities or abnormalities.
• Count the number of chicks to confirm the correct delivery quantity.
• Transport chicks carefully to minimise movement and heat stress, maintaining below 25°C, allowing air circulation but avoiding drafts or direct sun exposure.
• Do not leave chicks unattended in vehicles or exposed to harsh environmental conditions.
• Place chicks gently and quickly into the prepared brooder to reduce stress.
• Provide immediate access to fresh, clean water upon arrival to avoid dehydration.

To establish a healthy environment critical for chick survival, growth, and productivity in the crucial first days of life, one must:

Thoroughly Clean and Disinfect the House

• Remove all litter, droppings, dust, and debris of the previous flock.
• Clean surfaces with soap/detergent and high-pressure washing.
• Disinfect the house using approved disinfectants, following the manufacturer's instructions for dilution and contact time.
• Allow the house to dry completely and remain empty for at least 10 days before introducing new chicks to minimise disease risk.

Brooder House Preparation and Heating

• Repair any structural damages and seal gaps to prevent drafts and water leaks.
• Use high-quality, dry bedding (5 – 7 cm wood shavings or 10 – 15 cm hay/chopped grass) to keep chicks comfortable and insulated.
• Preheat the brooder house to 30 – 32°C about 24 hours before arrival in summer, or 48 hours in winter.

Equipment Readiness

• Clean and disinfect feeders and drinkers; fill feeders with starter feed and drinkers with fresh water before chick arrival.
• Check heating systems.

• Maintain optimal temperature: Keep brooding area at 30°C – 32°C during the first week, gradually lowering as chicks grow. Avoid drafts; monitor temperature at chick level with thermometers.
• Provide clean, fresh water and quality feed immediately upon chick arrival.
• Ensure good ventilation and air quality, preventing harmful gases and drafts.
• Use appropriate bedding: Clean, dry, comfortable litter such as wood shavings or hay. Ensure that it is turned daily.
• Monitor chick behaviour regularly; signs like huddling or panting indicate temperature or comfort issues.
• Provide adequate lighting: Bright initially to help chicks find feed and water, gradually dimmed to establish day/night rhythm.
• Use brooder guards to keep chicks near heat sources and feeding areas in early days, reducing wandering and stress.
• Maintain farm cleanliness by regularly cleaning feeders, drinkers, and litter to reduce disease risk.
• Check crop fills after 24 hours; most chicks should have full crops, indicating successful feeding.

Benefits of Effective Brooding Practices

• Ensure optimal growth conditions during critical early life stages.
• Promote healthy skeletal and cardiovascular system development.
• Stimulate a good appetite and encourage adequate water intake for nutrition.
• Strengthen the immune system, increasing disease resilience.
• Reduce stress levels, improving wellbeing and productivity.
• Set a strong foundation for raising vigorous, healthy poultry flocks.

Temperature Guidelines

• Preheat brooding area to around 33°C before new flock arrival.
• Maintain these gradual temperature reductions as chicks age:

Ventilation Guidelines

• Maintain steady airflow, providing fresh air rich in oxygen.
• Avoid drafts at the chick level to prevent chilling and stress.
• Control airflow using adjustable curtains or vents to maintain temperature and air quality.
• Proper ventilation prevents harmful gas buildup, like ammonia, and moisture accumulation.

Lighting Guidelines

• During the first week light intensity should be 40 to 60 watts of light per 20 square meters, spread evenly across the brooding area.
• Avoid exposing chicks to direct sunlight inside housing to prevent increased aggression.
• Use intermittent lighting program as per the table below.

Feeding Guidelines

• Always ensure fresh, clean water is available; chicks need about 2 grams of water for every 1 gram of feed.
• During the first 3 – 5 days, add liquid glucose for energy, liquid paraffin for digestion, and vitamins to the water to support health and stress.
• Avoid placing feed or water directly under heat sources to prevent reduced intake.
• Starter feed should be in crumble form to encourage intake; subsequent feeds can be pellets.
• Monitor feed intake and body weight weekly to adjust feed types and amounts as needed for growth performance.
• Aim to have broilers ready for market between 35 to 42 days at around 2 kg live weight.

Crop Fill Test

• The crop fill test is a method used to assess whether broiler chicks have successfully found and consumed feed and water after placement.
• It involves gently feeling the crop (a small pouch in the chick's neck where food and water are temporarily stored) using the thumb and forefinger. The test is typically done at intervals such as 2, 8, 12, 24, and 48 hours after arrival to check appetite development.

Targeted Weights

• At 7 days old, chicks should weigh about 4 times their day-old weight (e.g., from ~40g at day 0 to ~160g).
• By 35 days (5 weeks), chicks typically reach a market weight of 1.5 to 2.0 kg with proper management.
• Weight progression depends on good feed intake and health in early days; each gram gained at 7 days corresponds roughly to 10 grams by 35 days.
• Monitoring these targets helps farmers ensure optimal flock growth and intervene if weights fall below benchmarks.

Biosecurity includes essential practices to protect your poultry flock from viruses, bacteria, and parasites, ensuring health and profitability.

The Importance of Biosecurity

• Prevents the introduction and spread of infectious diseases.
• Minimises mortality and reduces medication costs.
• Ensures healthy chicks for improved growth and production.
• Protects public health by reducing zoonotic disease risk.
• Supports compliance with poultry health regulations.

Key Biosecurity Measures

• Access Control: Restrict poultry house entry to essential personnel; minimise visitors; provide disinfectant footbaths; use dedicated clothing and footwear.
• Farm and House Hygiene: Clean and disinfect houses before new flocks; remove litter and droppings; keep surroundings tidy; trim bushes and grass.
• Dead Chicks Disposal: Remove and dispose of dead chicks promptly and safely (deep burial or incineration).
• Feeding and Watering Equipment: Use clean, dedicated feeders and drinkers per flock; disinfect regularly; provide uncontaminated water refreshed multiple times daily.
• Pest and Wildlife Control: Prevent access of wild birds, rodents, cats, dogs, and insects; seal building gaps.
• Vehicle and Equipment Hygiene: Disinfect vehicles and equipment before farm entry; avoid sharing unless sanitised.
• Employee Training: Train workers on biosecurity protocols; enforce strict hygiene practices.

Vaccinations safeguard chicks against common, potentially devastating diseases and support flock immunity and productivity.

Why Vaccination Is Important

• Protects against Marek's disease, Newcastle disease, Infectious Bronchitis, Infectious Bursal Disease (Gumboro), and others.
• Reduces the need for antibiotics by preventing outbreaks.
• Supports uniform growth and immune strength.
• Ensures compliance with health and market requirements.

2026 Broiler Vaccination Schedule

Key Vaccination Points

• Administer vaccines on schedule to avoid maternal antibody interference.
• Use correct methods and dosages; vaccination should be done by trained personnel.
• Maintain hygiene to prevent contamination or disease spread.
• Monitor flock post-vaccination and provide proper nutrition and care.
• Store vaccines properly; avoid vaccinating sick or weak chicks.
• Use clean, chlorine-free water for drinking-water vaccines; vaccinate during cooler parts of the day.