Key Points for Rearing and Management During the Brooding and Growing Stages of Breeding Chickens
发布时间:2026-06-05
Although broiler breeding management techniques have become relatively mature in China, numerous critical details still require careful attention, as they directly impact chick survival rates and economic returns. Drawing on frontline production‑management experience, we have distilled these key points for reference and mutual learning.
Brooding stage
The brooding period generally spans from hatching to 30 days of age. Chicks are characterized by a high metabolic rate, rapid growth, heightened sensitivity, sparse down, poor thermoregulation, weak digestive function, and low disease resistance. Moreover, chick health directly influences production performance in the mid- and later stages; therefore, meticulous brooding management is of paramount importance in poultry farming. Just as there is the saying that “a child’s future is set by the age of three,” poultry farming has long held the adage that “three weeks determine a bird’s lifelong performance.”
1 |
Preparations Before Planting Seedlings |
| 2 | Post-Transplant Rearing and Management |
| 2.1 | Water and Feed Management |
| 2.2 | Temperature and Ventilation Management |
| 2.3 | How to pick a chicken |
| 2.4 | Health Management |
| 2.5 | Light management... |
Preparations Before Planting Seedlings
1. Clean and disinfect the chicken house: thorough washing—foam disinfection—spray disinfection—flame disinfection—fumigation—spray disinfection, followed by ventilation and drying.
2. Cleaning, disinfection, and fumigation of equipment (kettles, feeders, feeding troughs, water lines, feeding utensils, and poultry house supplies).
3. Temperature Pre‑conditioning: Begin three days in advance during summer and one week in advance during winter. Verify that the heating equipment is functioning properly, check for drafts in the chicken house, and pre‑heat the cages and the floor to enhance the birds’ comfort.
1. Clean and disinfect the chicken house: thorough washing—foam disinfection—spray disinfection—flame disinfection—fumigation—spray disinfection, followed by ventilation and drying.
2. Cleaning, disinfection, and fumigation of equipment (kettles, feeders, feeding troughs, water lines, feeding utensils, and poultry house supplies).
3. Temperature Pre‑conditioning: Begin three days in advance during summer and one week in advance during winter. Verify that the heating equipment is functioning properly, check for drafts in the chicken house, and pre‑heat the cages and the floor to enhance the birds’ comfort.
During the brooding phase, the core of management lies in providing chicks with an optimal growing environment. First, temperature control is critical: chicks are highly sensitive to temperature, so a constant 32–35°C should be maintained initially, followed by a gradual reduction of 2–3°C each week until room temperature is reached. Second, humidity management must not be overlooked; relative humidity should be kept between 50% and 65% to prevent dehydration or excessive moisture. Third, an appropriate lighting regime can promote growth and development—typically, 24-hour continuous illumination with gradually decreasing intensity—to meet the chicks’ physiological needs. At the same time, feed formulation should be nutritionally balanced to support rapid growth, with particular emphasis on adequate protein, vitamins, and minerals. In addition, hygiene and disease prevention are of paramount importance: regularly clean and disinfect the brooding house, strictly regulate access by personnel, and implement measures to prevent the spread of disease. By implementing these meticulous management practices, chick survival rates can be significantly improved, laying a solid foundation for the subsequent rearing phase and ensuring the overall production performance and economic returns of the breeding flock.
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