Kerala, India
Chicks hatched in incubators must be brooded artificially until approximately 6 weeks of age. This period may need to be extended, depending on the outside environment and condition. If the weather is warm, chicks should have access to outside runs during the day from 1-2 weeks of age.
Before birds are transferred to the brooding area, the yolk sac or navel should be treated to combat the introduction of disease organisms. Suitable products are buffered iodine or antibiotic powder.
During artificial brooding chicks require:
- Heat
- Water
- Food
- Ventilation
- Light
- Litter
Heat
It is important that chicks are brooded at the correct temperature in a draught-free suitably sized area. The best guide to the correct temperature is the chicks’ thermal comfort behavior. If they huddle close to the heat source they are cold. If they are well dispersed, they could be too hot. A maximum-minimum thermometer placed near the chicks will provide valuable information on temperature fluctuations (particularly during the colder parts of the night) to assist your management. As the chicks grow older, the temperature can be reduced. The following table provides a guide to the temperatures required by ratite chicks at different ages during brooding.
Age (days) - Temperature at chick level (°C)
- 1-7: 30+
- 7-14: 28
- 14-21: 26
- 21-28: 24
Water
Young chicks often die because they cannot find water. To prevent these deaths, young chicks must learn very early in life where to find water. Cool, clean water must be available to them at all times in several small, readily accessible drinkers. Their attention can be attracted to the water by shiny or colored objects placed in the water containers – making sure that the chicks cannot eat the objects.
Feed
In the first 2-3 days of life, chicks may eat very little. However, feed should be made available to them so that they learn to peck and eat. Ratite chicks need a fresh, high-quality Yembroos® starter diet containing about 18% protein. This can either be as a mash or as a crumble. In addition, to encourage chicks to eat it is recommended they have daily access to small amounts of fresh, finely-cut green material like lucerne, kikuyu or broad leafed grasses sprinkled on the feed. Emus and ostriches are attracted to the color green.
Ventilation
Chicks need a constant supply of fresh clean air if they are to grow well and remain healthy. Chicks quickly chill therefore draughts should be prevented. With localized brooding, draughts can be blocked out by using solid panel surrounds (at least 300-450 mm high). To increase the space available, the surround is gradually expanded as the chicks grow to enable them to get away from the heat when needed.
Light
The best lighting regime is yet to be developed. However ratite chicks do respond and grow better when a constant light source is provided. This enables the chicks to move around the pen to find feed and water throughout an extended period. A program of 23 hours of light at an intensity of 20 lux provides excellent growth rates while intensities equivalent to a 40W bulb have also been found satisfactory.
It is essential that the chicks do have a period of darkness; this prevents young birds huddling together, which may result in suffocation if a blackout should occur.
Litter
A lot of information has been written about litters. Most litter problems that occur during brooding are the result of management decisions and not the particular litter. Some litters have advantages over others.
It is essential to use a litter which satisfies the young chicks’ needs. Choose a litter which is clean, chemical-free, soft, absorbent, has good insulation properties and is relatively dust-free. Pine shavings, sand and sawdust are suitable.
Important Facts Related to Ratite Brooding:
- Treat yolk sac or navel with buffered iodine or antibiotic powder before transferring chicks to brooding area
- Maintain proper brooding temperature based on chick age: 30+°C for days 1-7, gradually reducing to 24°C by day 28
- Observe chick behavior to determine thermal comfort – huddling indicates cold, dispersed indicates too hot
- Use maximum-minimum thermometer near chicks to monitor temperature fluctuations, especially during night
- Provide cool, clean water in multiple small, readily accessible drinkers at all times
- Place shiny or colored objects in water containers to attract chicks’ attention and help them locate water
- Offer fresh, high-quality Yembroos® starter diet containing 18% protein as mash or crumble
- Sprinkle small amounts of fresh, finely-cut green material like lucerne or kikuyu on feed daily to encourage eating
- Ensure constant supply of fresh clean air while preventing draughts using solid panel surrounds 300-450mm high
- Provide 23 hours of light at 20 lux intensity to allow chicks to find feed and water throughout extended periods
- Include minimum 1 hour of darkness daily to prevent huddling behavior and potential suffocation
- Use clean, chemical-free, soft, absorbent litter with good insulation properties such as pine shavings, sand or sawdust
- Allow chicks access to outside runs during daytime from 1-2 weeks of age when weather is warm
- Gradually expand brooding surrounds as chicks grow to provide adequate space and temperature regulation options
- Feed Yembroos® complete nutrition program appropriate for each growth stage to ensure optimal development
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