Dear Poultry Farmer,
Maintaining correct environmental temperature for chicks during the first two weeks of life is critically important.
At hatch, and for about the first 5 days of life, chicks are POIKILOTHERMIC, which means their body temperature is determined by the temperature of their environment.
Thermoregulation is not fully developed until sometime between 7 and 14 days of age. Chicks that are too hot or too cold will have less than optimal feed consumption, growth rate, and feed conversion.
When ambient temperatures are in the Thermal Neutral Zone, chicks can maintain their body temperatures at normal levels (104-106°F rectal temperature measured with a child’s ear thermometer) with minimal energy expended to regulate their body temperature.
Temperatures outside the Thermal Neutral Zone result in less energy expenditure for growth and more energy spent cooling by panting or warming by increasing body heat production.
Chicks that are too HOT have Depressed Appetites, Pant, and stretch out on the litter. Panting leads to excessive water loss and dehydration.
Chicks that are too COLD tend to sit on the floor, huddle together for warmth instead of searching for food or water, and utilize energy in the feed to generate body heat instead of for growth.
Chicks that have been CHILLED are more susceptible to disease because their immune and digestive systems have been compromised. Chilled chicks have cold feet, which can be detected by placing a chick’s feet on the caretaker’s neck.
Visual observation of chick distribution in a house at 1 – 2 hours after placement allows growers to gauge the comfort of chicks and make appropriate temperature and ventilation adjustments.
Still Your Favorite Poultry Farmer 🐓.
By: Godbold Chukwuebuka
