The livestock sector contributes over 10% GDP to the Tanzanian economy.
Requirements
Brooding houses should be isolated from other houses containing older birds. The producer should follow an “all-in, all-out” program, never mixing birds of different ages.
All facilities must thoroughly be cleaned, and disinfected.
Before the arrival of chicks, the brooder ring and heaters must be checked to ensure that they are working properly.
On arrival, chicks should be offered fresh feed and water containing glucose where chicks are stressed.
• Cut an 8 x 4 ft hardboard sheet or the equivalent into two equal parts lengthwise and join the pieces to form a circle as described in Fig 19 below.
Chick Placement
• Feeders and drinkers should be cleaned and disinfected two days before use.
• All equipment should be arranged and the litter spread.
• The brooder ring should be prepared and curtains fixed on the open sides for insulation of the brooder house. Spray with good quality disinfectant two days before the chicks arrive.
• Provide foot bath at the entrance with lime powder or any other disinfectant.
Temperature Management
• Ideal brooding temperatures are as measured 5 cm above the litter surface
• Evening is the best time to observe the chicks and make temperature adjustment
• Thermometers may not always be available. Therefore, use the behavior of chicks as a guide
• Adequate floor, feeder and drinking spaces are also important
• Relative humidity, light and ventilation should be provided for optimum comfort of the chicks
Source of heating
• Domestic heaters (jiko) 1 for 100 chicks
• Infrared lamps (250 watts) 1 for 250 chicks
• Pancake heater 1 for 1000 chicks
Feed Management during brooding
The use of supplemental feeder trays at placement is recommended to help chicks get off to the best start possible
Trays should be provided at the rate of 1 per 100 chicks and should be placed between the main feed and drinker lines and adjacent to the brooders.
Supplemental feeders should be provided for the first 7-10 days.
The feed trough height should be adjusted so that they rest on the litter for the first 14 days to ensure all birds can easily access feed without having to climb into the feeder
Thereafter, feeders should be raised incrementally throughout the growing period so that the lip of the trough or pan is level with the birds back at all times.
Light Management
Continuous lighting should be provided for the first 48-72 hours post placement
It is highly recommended that all flocks are grown under natural light
Chick Mortality
Main Reasons for early chick Mortality
Poor brooding conditions- high and low brooding temperature
Feed poisoning - fungal, toxins, litter poisoning (ingestion of sawdust)
Injuries- rough handling and pro-longed transportation stress
Starvation
Humidity
Nutrition deficiency
Genetic disorder
Predators
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