The Right Temperature for Development
It's important to preheat the houses to a temperature where the broilers are going to be active and want to eat and drink. Activity is key to the broiler's start as this determines early feeding and early development of the gastrointestinal tract.
Late development or the delayed development of the GIT results in slower growth and increased culling rates. This results in delayed days to harvest weight as well as poor uniformity of flocks. High feed consumption in the first seven days supports the growth of the GIT and other internal organs, especially the inmune system.
Ventilation Control
Ventilation of closed poultry houses plays a major role in broiler performance and efficiency as this system functions to provide the optimal temperature, allowing removal of body heat and provision of fresh air for the flocks. With ever-improving broiler genetics, ventilation must be regularly adjusted according to the growth rate of the broilers raised.
Failure to adjust ventilation results in lower efficiency as birds may go off their thermoneutral zone for a few hours a day, and this results in reduced efficiency.
If broilers grow faster than the target, ventilation rates can be increased--especially during the transtion period from 10- 21 days. But adjustments to ventilation must be done in small amounts, as over ventilation results in lower efficiency because of higher gas use. THe use of smaller-sized fans provides opportunity to make small ventilation adjustments.
To be able to achieve superior broiler performance and efficiency, there are many management factors that must be considered. Check back here for more management tips to improve your facility.
