INFORMATION SHEET 1

SELECT HEALTHY CHICKS

CHICKEN BREED/ STOCK TO RAISE
The following can be use as guide in selecting the foundation stock to raise:
 Stock should only be purchased from a reliable hatchery or franchised
dealer where the parent stocks is well housed and well-managed.
 The kind of stock to buy depends upon the purpose for which it is going to
be raised.
 Chicks should be free from diseases and deformities
 Chicks should have uniform size and color and in the case of broiler
chicks should not be less than 33 grams at day-old.
 For a start, a popular strain raised in the community can be selected as it
is in indication of the birds’ good performance under existing farm
conditions.
 For broilers, choose those that have high livability and are fast grower
 For layers, choose those that have good egg size, high egg
production and long productive life.
 Whether for meat and eggs, choose those that have high feed efficiency.

Date developed: Document No. 1

May 2018 Issued by:
TRAINING MODULE
FOR RAISE ORGANIC MFFRLCI
CHICKEN Developed by: Page 1 of 6
MFFRLCI
Revision No.
 INFORMATION SHEET 1.1
SET-UP BROODING CAGE

Handling of the day-old chick and management of the brooding program has
a direct relationship on life-time production of the bird – whether breeders, layers or
broilers, as well as flock mortality.
The four factors to control are:
1. Feed
2. Water
3. Temperature
4. Air quality

Effective chick management begins before the day-olds arrive, particularly if

they are being imported from another country.
 Staff must have a good grounding in regulatory issues and documentation
procedures to ensure that chicks are customs-cleared as quickly as
possible.
 Transport from the airport must be in clean, sterilised vehicles, preferably
temperature controlled.
 Brooding houses should be isolated from other houses containing older
birds. The producer should follow an “all-in, all-out” program, never mixing
birds of different ages.
 All facilities must be clean, sterilised and pathogen-free
 Brooders and heaters must be checked to ensure that they are working
properly before the arrival of the chicks. This is a routine check to be carried
out daily.
 Fresh food and water should be available on arrival of the day olds.
 Litter is used to conserve heat and must be leveled and compacted to
prevent chick crowding.
 Ventilation should be adequate to remove undesirable gases such as
ammonia and provide clean air but not so much to remove heat or create
draughts.
 Depending on ambient temperatures, the brooding house should be
heated to 29 – 32ºC for 24 hours before the arrival of the chicks. Be
careful to always check the temperature at the level of the chicks.
 Chick feeders should be provided at a rate of 1 per 75 chicks. Birds must
Date developed: Document No. 1
May 2018 Issued by:
TRAINING MODULE
FOR RAISE ORGANIC MFFRLCI
CHICKEN Developed by: Page 2 of 6
MFFRLCI
Revision No.
 always have fresh food available from the time of arrival.
 2 supplementary drinkers to be provided per 100 chicks. These must be
chick fonts, not open trays and should not be placed directly under the light
source.

The diagram below shows how to observe the behavior of the chicks and
correct for brooding temperature

Stocking Density
 For breeders – Males will reach a heavier weight than females so require
extra floor space to ensure they reach their adult weight. Males and females
must be grown separately for at least 6 weeks, but preferably to 21 weeks.
 Brooding – Males and females – for the first 5 days stock at 30
chicks/square metre.
 Rearing – Females - 6 – 7 birds/square metre & Males – 3.5 – 3.9
birds/square metre.
 Production Breeder Females - 3.8 – 5 birds/square metre
 Broilers 6-8wks – 12 – 14/square metre
 Laying pullets – 10/square metre
 Laying hens - max 5/box 30cm x 30 cm

Lighting should be continuous for the first 48 hours, at an intensity of 20 – 60

lux. This will ensure that the chicks find food and water.
To ensure that chicks are feeding and drinking adequately, a random sampling
should be done 6 – 8 hours after arrival. The crop of the chick should be soft and
pliable, showing that the chick has taken in adequate food and water. A hard crop
shows inadequate water intake and a swollen, distended crop shows inadequate food
intake.
Date developed: Document No. 1
May 2018 Issued by:
TRAINING MODULE
FOR RAISE ORGANIC MFFRLCI
CHICKEN Developed by: Page 3 of 6
MFFRLCI
Revision No.
 At 7 days of age a random sample weighing should be undertaken. This is a
good indicator of successful brood management. Low weight gains show inadequate
protein intake (low feed consumption or imbalanced nutrition) This will have
repercussions in lower 4-week weights, less uniform flocks and lower egg
production.

Date developed: Document No. 1

May 2018 Issued by:
TRAINING MODULE
FOR RAISE ORGANIC MFFRLCI
CHICKEN Developed by: Page 4 of 6
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Revision No.
DAY
LEARNING OUTCOME TASK ACTIVITIES DATE

Select Healthy Chicks  Selecting Healthy Chicks

TASK/ACTIVITIES:
 Select Healthy Chicks
 Set-up Brooding Cage

_______________________ _______________________
TRAINER’S SIGNTURE TRAINEE’S SIGNATURE
DATE:__________________ DATE:_________________

Date developed: Document No. 1

May 2018 Issued by:
TRAINING MODULE
FOR RAISE ORGANIC MFFRLCI
CHICKEN Developed by: Page 5 of 6
MFFRLCI
Revision No.
 INFORMATION SHEET 2
SET-UP CAGE EQUIPMENT

Date developed: Document No. 1

May 2018 Issued by:
TRAINING MODULE
FOR RAISE ORGANIC MFFRLCI
CHICKEN Developed by: Page 6 of 6
MFFRLCI
Revision No.