BROILERS FARMING

The broiler cycle is a coordinated sequence that transforms day-old chicks into marketable birds while protecting health, welfare, and meat quality. The stages below describe a standard deep-litter operation; cage and slatted-floor systems adapt similar principles with different hardware and densities.
Pre-Placement Preparation (7-10 days before chick arrival)

• Downtime and cleaning: Remove all birds and organic matter. Dry-clean floors and equipment; wash with detergent; apply approved disinfectants at correct dilutions; allow adequate drying time.
• Litter management: Remove caked litter. In cold or wet seasons, consider fresh litter (e.g., wood shavings, rice hulls) at 5-10 cm depth; in drier seasons, some reuse practices incorporate windrowing and reconditioning, following veterinary guidance.
• Equipment service: Inspect brooders, heaters, fans, inlets, curtains, lights, feeders, and drinkers. Replace worn parts. Check gas lines and safety cut-offs.
• Biosecurity perimeter: Repair fencing, footbaths, and entry signage; establish clean/dirty lines and visitor logs.
• Preheating: Warm the house 24-48 hours before placement to achieve proper floor temperature (often 30-32°C measured at litter level for chicks). Preheat water lines to avoid cold shock.

• Chick reception: Verify chick quality-navel healing, uniform size, responsive behavior. Record delivery conditions and box counts.
• Brooding temperature and humidity: Start around 32-34°C air temperature (or follow strain-specific guidelines) with a focus on floor temperature and chick behavior. Gradually reduce temperature by 2-3°C per week. Relative humidity of 50-70% supports respiratory health and reduces dehydration.
• Lighting: Provide bright, uniform light in the first days to stimulate feed and water intake; later, implement a dark period to support leg and metabolic health.
• Feed and water access: Place starter feed on trays and ensure line feeders are filled. Provide abundant drinker space; adjust nipples/drinkers to chick height.
• Early-life vaccinations: Depending on regional disease risk, programs may include vaccinations for Newcastle disease and infectious bursal disease, among others.
• Observation: Chick distribution is the best thermometer-huddling under heat indicates cold; moving to wall edges suggests heat stress; clustering at drinkers suggests thirst; uniform spreading indicates comfort.