Environmental Factors to Control

When Brooding Chicks

Brian Fairchild, Extension Poultry Scientist

The main objective in brooding chicks is to efficiently Research has shown that the chick develops the ability
and economically provide a comfortable, healthy to regulate its body temperature around 12 to 14 days
environment for growing birds. Temperature, air qual- of age. The chick can be easily stressed if its body tem-
ity, humidity and light are critical factors to consider. perature decreases or increases by as much as one de-
Failure to provide the adequate environment during gree. Once the body temperature changes the bird will
the brooding period will reduce profitability because of try to compensate and in most cases this means that it
reduced growth and development, poorer feed conver- will have a negative effect on performance. The body
sion, and increased disease, condemnation and mortal- temperature of a day-old chick is about 103°F (39°C),
ity. but by about five days of age body temperature is 106°F
(41.1°C), the same as the adult. Extreme temperatures
(high or low) often result in chick mortality, but even
mild chilling or overheating can affect the performance
of young chicks without causing death. While chicks
are more tolerant of high temperatures than adult
birds, high temperatures for extended periods of time
increase mortality and have negative impact on perfor-
mance.
Figure 1. Managing the house and chick correctly during the
brooding period will get chicks off to a good start. Research has shown that chicks that are subjected to
cold temperature have impaired immune and digestive
Temperature and Chick Physiology systems. As a result, cold stressed chicks have reduced
Maintaining the correct temperature is critical in chick growth and increased susceptibility to diseases. Cold
brooding, especially during the first two weeks of the stressed chicks will exhibit higher incidence of ascites,
chick’s life. Early in life, the chick is poorly equipped to a metabolic disorder that results in reduced perfor-
regulate its metabolic processes to adequately control mance, increased mortality and increased condem-
its body temperature. As a result, the young chick is nations at the processing plant. In research studies
dependent on environmental temperature to maintain where groups of chicks were brooded at either 80°F
optimal body temperature. If the room temperature or 90°F, the chicks reared under the warmer tem-
decreases, the chick’s body temperature will decrease. perature had better weight gains, feed conversion and
Likewise, if room temperature increases, the chick’s livability. Chicks brooded under 80°F experienced
body temperature will increase. Chilling or over- reduced growth compare to the high brooding tem-
heating during this crucial period can result in poor perature treatment. The chicks reared under those
growth, feed conversion and increased susceptibility to temperatures did not catch up in body weight and as a
disease. Proper brooding practices must maintain the result weighed less at market age than birds that were
chick’s body temperature so that it does not have to use brooded properly. Not only do chicks exposed to low
energy to lose heat by panting or generate heat through brooding temperatures have reduce growth rates, but
metabolism. they will consume more feed to keep themselves warm,
reducing feed efficiency and increasing feed costs.
Temperature and Chick Performance Broiler houses are specifically designed to allow the
One of the goals during brooding is to maintain chicks environment directly around the chick to be closely
within their comfort zone, which is where they are controlled. In commercial broiler growing opera-
not using energy to gain or lose heat to maintain body tions, broiler houses are insulated and equipped with
temperature. When birds are kept in environmental mechanical ventilation systems to maintain house
temperatures above or below their comfort zone, more temperatures within 5 degrees of the desired tempera-
energy must be expended to maintain body tempera- ture regardless of outside temperature. Optimum chick
ture. This extra energy will ultimately be supplied by brooding temperatures have been developed through
the feed consumed. Therefore, the energy from the many years of research and field experience.
feed will be used to maintain body temperature instead
of growth and development resulting in poorer feed The best method to monitor chick comfort is to ob-
conversion. Thus, the environmental temperature plays serve chick behavior and regulate the temperature
a major role in determining the cost of producing a accordingly. When observing a broiler house, chicks
pound of meat or a started pullet. should be distributed evenly across the house.

Proper brooding not only consists of maintaining

proper temperature but also the use of good husbandry
practices. Brooding temperatures will vary depending
on whether the heat source is air furnace, conventional
brooder or radiant brooder (Table 1). Note that the
temperatures in Table 1 refer to air temperatures that
are designed to provide a 90°F (32°C) floor tempera-
ture. When brooding chicks, floor temperature is cru- Figure 2. When house adequate house temperature is obtained
cial. Research suggests that average floor temperature and chicks are well managed, they should be distributed through-
should be 90°F (32°C) on the day that chicks are placed out the house and not huddling together or sitting mostly in the
feed pans.
in the house. Forced air furnaces require higher tem-
perature settings because they heat the air which heats Chicks that are cool can be seen huddling together
the floor. A conventional pancake brooder directs (even next to the side wall) and will tend to sit in
approximately 40 percent of its heat to the floor and feeder pans. Chicks that are hot will move away from
60 percent to the air. Radiant brooders project ap- the brooders and furnaces, will pant and will stretch
proximately 90 percent of their heat to the floor and 10 out on the litter in efforts to cool themselves. Many
percent to the air. Because pancake and radiant brood- houses have environmental controllers that monitor
ers direct more heat to the floor, the air temperature house temperature and turn brooders and furnaces on
required to get the desired floor temperature is less and off as needed. The controllers also monitor the
than that required for forced air furnaces. amount of time a heat source operates. This informa-
tion can be used to locate areas of the chick environ-
Table 1. Recommended Air Temperatures During ment that might experience excessive air leaks or
Brooding for Broilers by Heat Source1 drafts. For example, if the brooders/furnaces near the
Air Temperature tunnel curtain have more run time than others in the
Day Forced Air Conventional Radiant house, it may indicate air leaks around the curtain or
Furnace2 Brooder3 Brooder4
end wall door.
0 93oF (34oC) 90oF (32oC) 88oF (31oC)
3 90oF (32oC) 88oF (31oC) 86oF (30oC)
Relative Humidity
7 87oF (31oC) 86oF (30oC) 84oF (29oC)
The ability of air to hold moisture depends upon its
14 83oF (28oC) 85oF (29oC) 82oF (28oC)
temperature. Warm air can hold more moisture than
21 78oF (26oC) 80oF (27oC) 77oF (25oC)
cold air. The term relative humidity refers to the per-
1
Temperatures based on those used currently by broiler companies
2
Measured at chick height.
cent of water saturation of air at any given temperature.
3
Measured at chick height, one foot from edge of brooder canopy. The level of humidity influences the ability of the bird
4
Measured at chick height, four feet from edge of brooder canopy.
to cool itself through panting and influences ammonia
production.

Environmental Factors to Control When Brooding Chicks 2 UGA Cooperative Extension Bulletin 1287
It is recommended that relative humidity be main-
tained between 50-70 percent throughout the growout
period, including the brooding period. Ammonia pro-
duction occurs due to the microbiological breakdown
of fecal material in the litter. Dusty conditions in the
poultry house are associated with relative humidity
below 50 percent. Relative humidity of 70 percent or
greater provides environmental conditions suitable for
microbial growth in the litter. As the microbial popu- Figure 4. Higher light intensities during brooding will encourage
lation increases, more ammonia is generated from chick activity. The increase activity will help chicks find feed and
water sources thus getting them off to a good start.
nitrogen sources found in bird fecal material. Ammo-
nia is a gas that has a negative impact on bird health much or if the speed of the air entering through the
and performance. Research shows that increased inlet is too low then the cool air will fall to the floor
ammonia impairs the immune system and increases more quickly. Not only with this cause a problem of
respiratory disease in birds. High ammonia levels dur- bird chilling, but can create cool spots on the walls
ing brooding reduces growth rate, which is not gained and floor. As warm air contacts these cooler spots
back during the remainder of the growout. Ammonia condensation will form creating wet spots. These wet
production can be reduced through the control of rela- spots can lead to increase litter caking as well as more
tive humidity which in turn is regulated by ventilation. ammonia production.
Managing the poultry house ventilation rates to keep
relative humidity between 50 and 70 percent is recom-
mended to minimize ammonia production and dust.

Figure 5. Air entering through the inlets is directed along the

ceiling. This allows the air to warm up to brooding temperature
before coming into contact with the chicks. This also increases
Figure 3. Exposure to ammonia concentrations as low as 25 ppm the moisture holding capacity of the air so that when the warm air
for the first 28 days can have a negative effect on body weight at does fall down to chick level it will pick up and hold more moisture
both 4 and 7 weeks of age (Miles et al., 2004). from the litter helping to maintain litter conditions in the house.

Ventilation Circulation fans should be used to break up tempera-

Ventilation is needed to regulate temperature and re- ture stratification and provide a more uniform tem-
move carbon dioxide, ammonia, other gases, moisture, perature throughout the poultry house. Moving the
dust and odors. Fresh air must be introduced uniform- warmer air to bird level not only helps maintain bird
ly, mixed well with house air, and circulated properly body and floor temperatures, but also helps remove
throughout the house. The flow pattern within the moisture from the litter.
building is very important. Air movement into the
house is accomplished via negative pressure. Fans Fan operation is controlled by temperature to maintain
remove air from the house creating a negative pressure. the desired temperature. Some fans are operated by a
Air enters through inlets located in the walls or ceiling timer to regulate relative humidity and maintain good
and is directed across the ceiling to mix the air. air quality when the house is at the desired tempera-
ture. The house environmental controller operates
Mixing of the incoming outside air and the inside air the fans based on temperature and timer settings. The
prevents the cooler air from settling near the litter controllers will open air inlets located in the side walls
and chilling the birds. Inlet openings and air speed or ceiling to ensure uniform air entry into the house.
coming through the inlet is important in ensuring The amount the inlets open is determined by static
that air moves along the ceiling. If the inlet opens too pressure.

Environmental Factors to Control When Brooding Chicks 3 UGA Cooperative Extension Bulletin 1287
Lighting During Brooding • Use circulation or paddle fans
Light is an important factor during brooding that The use of these fans will move warm air off the
should not be ignored. Chick activity is greater in ceiling eliminating temperature stratification and
bright light intensity than in low light intensity. Dur- get heat down to chick level where it is needed and
ing brooding the light should be at the brightest inten- reduce heating costs. Studies show that circulation
sity to encourage chick activity thus assisting them to fans are effective no matter which type of heating
locate feed and water. Once they learn where feed and system is being used.
water are located (somewhere around 7 to 10 days of • Use attic inlets
age), the light intensity and duration can and should be Pulling air from the attic on cool days when the
reduced. Light systems should be designed to produce sun is out can result in higher ventilation rates
a minimum of 25 lux (2.5 foot candles) or more at without increased fuel costs. This allows producers
bird level. Many broiler houses being built today are to take advantage of the warmer air found in the
capable of provide up to 40 lux (4 foot candles) at chick attics that will help to maintain relative humidity
level in the brood area. between 50 and 70 percent. To operate attic inlets
properly, the house must be tight enough to pull at
least 0.13 inches of water column in a static pres-
sure test. If the houses cannot pull this static pres-
sure, efforts should be made to tighten the houses
to reduce leakage before installing attic inlets.
• Eliminate leakage
Sealing up leaks provides control of where and how
much air will enter the house. This will ensure that
Figure 6. With an insulated attic, the air is warmer than outside the air comes in through planned inlets and will
air. Using the air allows higher ventilation rates to be used with- minimize bird chilling, litter caking and tempera-
out increasing fuel usage. These increased ventilation rates will
help maintain relative humidity between 50 and 70 percent.
ture stratification during cold weather.
• Use 5 minute timers instead of 10 minute timers
The light system design should allow light intensity This will reduce house temperature drops resulting
and duration to be modified as the birds age and pro- in less heater run time and will help regulate am-
vide a uniform light intensity at bird level. Typically, monia and moisture levels.
the lights are operated 23 hours a day during brooding • Clean and repair brooders on a regular basis
and the light intensity is at maximum. Between 7 and Proper brooder maintenance will reduce carbon
10 days of age the number of hours the lights are oper- monoxide and will burn fuel more efficiently.
ated should be reduced (depending on the operation’s Brooders should have the dust blown off in be-
guidelines) and by 10 to 14 days of age the light inten- tween each flock. Keep the burner orifices clean.
sity should be reduced to 5 lux (0.5 foot candles). The Use the proper size reaming needle to avoid alter-
main purpose of the lighting during the brooding is ing the orifice size and wasting fuel.
to ensure that chicks are active and that they seek out
food and water sources. References
Carlile, F. S., 1984. Ammonia in poultry houses: a lit-
Energy Conservation erature review. World’s Poultry Sci. J. 40:99-113.

• Make sure that controller sensors/thermostats are Czarick, M., 2001. Circulation fans in houses with ra-
placed properly diant brooders. January. University of Georgia Coop-
Positioning sensors/thermostats too close to a erative Extension.
brooder or too close to the chicks or too high off http://froggy.engr.uga.edu/service/extension/ventila-
the ground may result in bird chilling. Positioning tion/vol13n1.pdf
them in too close to the side wall, brood curtain or
where air is entering the house may result in exces-
sive fuel usage.

Environmental Factors to Control When Brooding Chicks 4 UGA Cooperative Extension Bulletin 1287
Czarick, M. and B. D. Fairchild, 2004. Leakage and
litter caking. Poultry Housing Tips. November. Univer-
sity of Georgia Cooperative Extension.
http://froggy.engr.uga.edu/service/extension/ventila-
tion/vol16n13.pdf

Czarick, M. and B. D. Fairchild, 2003. 1/15 h.p. circula-

tion fans. Poultry Housing Tips. November. University
of Georgia Cooperative Extension.
http://froggy.engr.uga.edu/service/extension/ventila-
tion/vol15n10.pdf

Czarick, M. and B. D. Fairchild, 2001. Environmen-

tal controller temperature sensor placement. Poultry
Housing Tips. November. University of Georgia Coop-
erative Extension.
http://froggy.engr.uga.edu/service/extension/ventila-
tion/vol13n12.pdf

Czarick, M. and M. P. Lacy, 2000. The importance of

proper inlet adjustments. November. University of
Georgia Cooperative Extension.
http://froggy.engr.uga.edu/service/extension/ventila-
tion/vol12n11.pdf

Czarick, M. and M. P. Lacy, 2000. Heating system

thermostat/sensor location. November. University of
Georgia Cooperative Extension.
http://froggy.engr.uga.edu/service/extension/ventila-
tion/vol12n3.pdf

May, J. D. and B. D. Lott, 2001. Relating weight gain

and feed:gain of male and female broilers to rearing
temperature. Poultry Sci. 80:581-584.

Miles, D. M., S. L. Branton and B. D. Lott, 2004. Atmo-

spheric ammonia is detrimental to the performance
of modern commercial broilers. Poultry Sci. 83:1650-
1654.

Environmental Factors to Control When Brooding Chicks 5 UGA Cooperative Extension Bulletin 1287
Bulletin 1287 Revised March 2012

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