Proper preparation before brooding is essential for the health and survival of young chicks. Before hatching, the brooding area must be thoroughly cleaned and disinfected. Start by washing the floor and walls, then apply a 0.3% strong disinfectant solution, 0.5% poison solution, or 3% caustic soda solution to spray and kill all viruses and bacteria. Afterward, the room should be sealed and fumigated with 20 grams of potassium permanganate and 40 ml of formalin per cubic meter for one hour. During this time, feeders and waterers can also be placed inside for simultaneous disinfection. Once done, open windows and doors for at least one day to allow fresh air circulation. No non-sterile items should be brought into the brooding house afterward to prevent recontamination.
Selecting healthy chicks is crucial for successful raising. Each chick should be individually inspected based on specific criteria: clean anus, no fecal buildup, good umbilical absorption, no blood spots, firm belly, no bloated appearance, and normal eyes, legs, and claws. If any of these criteria are not met, the chick should not be raised, as weak individuals have lower survival rates and slower growth. Healthy selection ensures better overall performance and reduces disease risk.
Maintaining proper temperature and humidity is vital for chick development. In the first week, the brooding temperature should be between 33°C and 35°C, decreasing by 2°C each week until it reaches ambient levels around six weeks. Temperature should not be solely measured by a thermometer but also observed through chick behavior. If too hot, chicks may pant and drink more; if too cold, they may huddle together and appear restless. The ideal temperature allows active, healthy, and well-fed chicks. Proper temperature helps control diseases like white plague and coccidiosis while improving yolk sac absorption and survival rates.
Humidity in the brooding house should be maintained at 60–70% during the first week and 55–60% in the second week. Too high or too low humidity can lead to respiratory issues, poor feather development, or increased pathogen presence. Monitoring with a hygrometer ensures optimal conditions for chick growth.
Providing adequate drinking water is essential. Chicks should be given water immediately after entering the brooding house. Add 1,000 units of penicillin per liter of water initially, followed by 3% brown sugar water after two hours. Warm water mixed with multivitamin B complex can also be offered. Water must be continuously available to avoid dehydration and aggressive drinking, which can cause stress, cold exposure, and even death due to overcrowding and wetting.
Feeding practices should follow a regular schedule. Chicks should be fed when one-third of them begin searching for food, typically within 24 hours of hatching. Use full-nutrient compound feed, feeding 7 times daily in the first two weeks, gradually reducing to 4 times a day by the sixth week. Overfeeding should be avoided, as it can lead to digestive problems. By the third week, add a small amount of clean sand to the feed to help develop their digestive system.
Breeding density plays a key role in chick health. High density leads to poor air quality, high ammonia levels, and increased disease risk. Low density, while beneficial for growth, may not be efficient in resource use. A general guideline is 30 chicks per square meter in the first week, decreasing weekly to about 10 per square meter by the sixth week.
Disease prevention is critical. Use 0.01% potassium permanganate solution as drinking water to disinfect the gut. Prevent salmonellosis with bacterial enemies and coccidiosis with ball-killing liquid. Add vitamin E or K to feed during stressful periods. Regular deworming and insect control using flea repellents or insecticides should be conducted monthly to maintain a clean and healthy environment.
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