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Feathers, Fans, and Fahrenheit: The Ultimate Chick Comfort Guide!
DON’T LET YOUR CHICKS SWEAT IT OUT
We often struggle to set the minimum ventilation rate from day one and onward. Some controllers have minimum ventilation rate graphs, while others provide minimum ventilation rate levels.
We can initially set the minimum ventilation rate with the help of the Poultry 411 app by the University of Georgia – Department of Poultry Science or simply by calculating the minimum ventilation rate as 1 CFM (cubic foot per minute) per chick.
In this process, we must consider maximum outside humidity at minimum temperature and add extra ventilation for high humidity.
As the chicks grow, their daily water consumption increases with age, necessitating an increase in the minimum ventilation rate to match their growing needs.
Table 1. Air Quality permissible values
The primary goal of minimum ventilation during brooding is to maintain a steady supply of fresh air for the chicks while minimizing temperature variations, drafts, and effectively managing heating costs.
This requires a careful balance of fan capacity, placement, and timing, as well as proper positioning and adjustments of air inlets. Key steps include:
Using fans at 1 CFM per square foot and distributing fan capacity evenly between brooding and non-brooding areas.
Ensuring proper static pressure levels when inlets are open to maintain airflow balance and limit condensation risks.
Adjusting fan timers and inlet openings to achieve optimal air distribution based on the number of chicks, desired humidity, and ammonia levels.
Utilizing circulation fans for even temperature distribution to environmental uniformity throughout the brooding process.
These steps are essential for creating a controlled and efficient environment that s chick health while minimizing energy use and potential stressors during the brooding phase.
Heating Costs: The Hidden Burden in Poultry Production
Winter is on the way. Starting in November, we will need to run more heaters while brooding chicks. In my region, most farmers use space heaters (forced air) and infrared gas brooders and the average yearly LPG gas consumption per broiler batch for brooding is around 300 kg for a poultry house that is 300 feet long, 42 feet wide, and 7.5 feet high, with insulated side curtains.
Factors Affecting...
