Management of air environment in chick house
1 Brooding temperature
1.1 Temperature difference brooding
The brooding umbrella is used as a heat source in the brooding area for brooding. In the first three days, keep the temperature of 35 ℃ under the brooding umbrella. At this time, the edge of the brooding umbrella is about 30 ~ 31 ℃, while other areas of the brooding house only need to have 25 ~ 27 ℃. In this way, the chicks can enter and exit under different temperature layers according to their own needs, which is conducive to stimulating the growth of their feathers. In the future, the chicks will be very strong and well-bred. As the chicks grow up, the temperature at the edge of the brooding umbrella should be reduced by about 1 ° C every 3-4 days, until after three weeks of age, it will basically drop to the same temperature as other areas of the brooder house (22 ~ 23 ° C). After that, you can stop using brooding umbrellas.
The behavior and chirping of chicks will indicate how comfortable the chickens are. The chicks are too noisy during the brooding period, indicating that the chickens are uncomfortable. The most common reason is that the temperature is not suitable. When the chicks are under cold stress, they will pile up under the brooding umbrella; if the temperature under the brooding umbrella is too low, the chicks will pile up around the wall or around the shed props. The chicks will also be crowded into the feed tray. When the chicks are under heat stress, they will prone on the ground and stretch their heads and necks to open their mouths and pant. Chicks will look for cooler places in the house, where the wind is stronger, especially away from the heat source along the wall. The chicks will be crowded around the drinking fountain and make the whole body soaked. Drinking water will increase. The crop and intestines will swell due to too much water.
1.2 Whole house heating and brooding
Different from the temperature difference brooding method (also called the local heating brooding method), the whole house heating brooding method uses a boiler as a heat source and heats the heat in the house through radiators (or hot air fans); Therefore, the whole house heating brooding method is also called central heating brooding method. Because there is no brooding umbrella, there is no obvious temperature difference in different areas of the chicken house, so it is a little difficult to use the behavior of chicks for temperature indication. In this way, the chick’s cry becomes the only indicator of chick discomfort. As long as the opportunity is given, the chicks are willing to gather in the place where the temperature is most suitable for their needs. Be especially careful when observing chick behavior. The chicks may be concentrated somewhere in the house, showing piles of concentration, but don’t think this is because the temperature in the house is too low, sometimes, it may also be because the other parts of the house are too hot . Generally speaking, if the chicks are evenly dispersed, the temperature is ideal.
When the whole house is used for warming broods, the height of the chicks should be kept at 29 ~ 31 ℃ in the brooding area in the first three days. The thermometer (or induction meter) should be placed 6-8 cm from the ground, so as to truly reflect the true temperature that the chicks can feel. In the future, as the chicks grow up, the temperature at the height of the chicks should be reduced by about 1 ° C every 3 to 4 days, until after three weeks of age, it can basically drop to 21 to 22 ° C.
2 Relative humidity
The whole chick house is heated, especially when using the nipple drinker at the same time, the relative humidity may be as low as 25%. Of course, in most chicken houses that use traditional gas brooders combined with bell waterers, the relative humidity is higher, usually more than 50%. In order to reduce the degree of dehydration of chicks, the relative humidity of the first 3 to 4 days should be controlled at least 70%, preferably 80%. Thereafter, the relative humidity is allowed to be between 50% and 60%.
If the chicken house is equipped with a sprayer that cools down during the high temperature in summer, it can be used to increase the relative humidity of the brooder house to the required range. If there is no sprayer, placing a water tray near the heater can also increase the relative humidity to between 70% and 80%. You can also regularly sprinkle water on the aisle in the middle of the house to increase the humidity in the house (Note: Do not sprinkle water directly on the brood litter or sprinkle water on the chicken). Chick feeding is not easy to be dehydrated under the conditions of appropriate relative humidity, and can provide a good starting point for improving uniformity.
As the breeding chicks grow, the relative humidity should decrease. After 18 days of age, if the relative humidity is too high, it will cause damp litter and cause other problems. As the weight of breeding chicks increases, the relative humidity can be controlled by using ventilation and heating systems.
3 Interaction of temperature and humidity
All animals evaporate water through the digestive tract and skin and radiate body heat. In the case of high humidity, the amount of evaporation decreases, resulting in an increase in the animal’s body surface temperature. The animal’s perception of temperature comes from dry bulb temperature and relative humidity, and excessive relative humidity increases body surface temperature. On the contrary, low relative humidity will lower the body surface temperature. The dry bulb temperature required to reach the standard temperature under different relative humidity should be mastered and applied in environments with different humidity ranges. If the relative humidity is not within the standard range, the temperature of the chicks in the house should reach the corresponding standard. At all times, it should be observed whether the behavior of the chicks reflects the temperature normally to ensure that the chicks get the right temperature. If later behaviors indicate that the chicks are too cold or too hot, the temperature of the house should be controlled within an appropriate range.
4 Ventilation management
During brooding, although chicks do not need too much ventilation, they also need to supplement oxygen, remove moisture, ammonia, carbon dioxide and other toxic and harmful gases. Therefore, the brooder house should be properly ventilated regularly and fresh air should be introduced while keeping the insulation well.