Types of Brooding

Depending upon the season, brooding practices vary in tropical countries where large conventional open housing is normally practiced.

Winter – Use 1/3 area of the house for brooding.
Summer – Use 1/2 area of the house for brooding.

Even though efforts are made to conserve heat, it is often noticed that ventilation is not given due importance. In view of fast growth and high rate of metabolism, the commercial broilers need special attention for provision of enough ventilation.

Brooder Management

Start and adjust the brooder stoves 24 hours before the arrival of chicks.
Ensure that they are working correctly.
Adjust the temperature to 95°F (35°C) at the edge of the brooder 2 inches (5cm) above the litter.
Lower the temperature by 5°F (2.8°C) each week until it reaches 70°F.

Brooder Guard

1. Make the guards from material, which can be properly sterilised
2. Height of Guard should be approximately 16 inches to 18 inches
3. Guards will ensure chicks stay near the source of heat
4. Helps in preventing chilling and piling
5. See diagram to place other equipments

Gas Brooding

Use of LPG operated Gas Brooders gives much more uniform heat as compared to conventional types of brooding practices like Electric Lamps, Coal or Wood. The radiant Gas Brooder creates microclimate for the chicks so that they can choose their most comfortable place and warmth at any time. This results in proper growth and weight gain, which is more uniform. LPG Gas Brooding can be done either by central Control System or by Individually Controlled Infra Red radiant gas brooders. You should remember that any brooding system must have temperature control device. The advantage of this temperature control are to meet the precise heat requirement of the birds which changes with their age and energy saving.

Infra Red Radiant Brooder can be placed 90 to 130 cm above the ground level depending upon the heat requirement. The number and types of Gas Brooders can be decided as per the specifications of the Gas Brooder. It is very important to note that the Gas Brooder, which you select, spells out the specifications in terms of BTU/KW rating, operating pressures, etc. It is always safe to select the brooder, which has got international quality mark for safety and reliability. Before chicks arrive, please ensure that the filled LPG Gas Cylinders are available at the site. Maintain temperature of 32 to 34° C on day one. Measure the same at 10 to 25 cm above the litter level. Lower the temperature approximately by 3° C per week until attaining a temperature of 25° C. The temperature can be sensed by a sensor connected to the individual Gas Brooders or the Central Control System.