Safe broiler rearing: strict temperature difference control is key

Temperature differences are usually easy to talk about, but effectively controlling them throughout the entire chicken rearing process is no easy matter; temperature differences generally fall into the following situations:

Spring temperature differences

(1) Characteristics of spring - lower humidity, relatively large temperature fluctuations, windy

(2) Key points of rearing management

Increase the humidity in the chicken house (especially for houses heated by warm-air furnaces) and do not relax until the chickens leave; for chicken houses less than 13 m wide, ventilation is mostly natural ventilation, supplemented appropriately by roof fans and side fans, the ventilation openings should not be too large, the air intake should not be too fast, and ventilation should be adjusted at any time according to changes in the outside temperature.

Summer temperature differences

(1) Characteristics of summer - dry heat and humid heat coexist

(2) Key points of rearing management

The main focus is cooling. In early summer the weather can suddenly turn hot; longitudinal fans can be used for ventilation and cooling. At this stage, note that although the outside temperature is already fairly high, the wind speed and temperature are still rather cool; make sure the air inlet does not blow directly onto the chickens, and even more importantly do not let air pass under the netting surface and blow onto the chickens' bellies. As the temperature rises and humidity increases, gradually use water curtains for cooling; when first using them, note that they should be used slowly to prevent the air coming through the water curtain from being too cool (this can be done by adjusting the number of fans in use and adjusting the small windows around the water curtain to neutralize the cool air from the wet curtain). After entering the dog days, all cooling equipment should be used freely, including fans, wet curtains, fog lines, and so on.

Autumn temperature differences

(1) Characteristics of autumn - temperature differences gradually increase, early autumn is rainy, and winds are strong.

(2) Key points of rearing management

The hardest part of rearing management in autumn is ventilation. In early autumn, with high temperature and high humidity, cooling should be the main focus, while by late autumn it becomes a process mainly focused on keeping warm. Therefore, the principle of autumn ventilation is natural ventilation first, then roof fan ventilation, then side fan ventilation, and then main fan ventilation.

(3) Notes on autumn ventilation

① Natural ventilation is preferred; if the environment cannot be controlled, then use mechanical ventilation, and be sure to open it slowly and increase it gradually.

② Air inlets should be numerous rather than large, keeping a gentle breeze flowing constantly.

③ Outside temperature is the first criterion for ventilation; fans should be shut off promptly.

④ Ventilate facing away. ⑤ Ventilate while raising the temperature.

⑥ If cooling weather occurs, be sure to raise the temperature in advance and close the ventilation openings.

⑦ Compared with summer, the ammonia concentration inside the house in autumn is somewhat higher; when a person suddenly enters the chicken house there will be a certain smell, but there is one principle that must not be exceeded: "you can let your nose sense the smell, but you must never let your eyes feel discomfort."

⑧ When longitudinal fans and side fans are in use, the skylights, roof fans, and the sewage outlet of the chicken house will become air inlets; pay attention to whether the temperature at these locations is suitable for the chickens.

Winter temperature differences

(1) Characteristics of winter - the weather gradually turns cold, mostly dry, and windy

(2) Key points of rearing management

In winter, the main test is the sealing and insulation of the chicken house. At this stage, note the following:

① Temperature differences will form drafts; check whether the cool air coming in through the ventilation openings blows directly onto the chickens.

② In late autumn and early winter, pay attention to whether water droplets form on the walls, roof, or partitions of the chicken house. Wherever water droplets can form, cold air will seep into the chicken house in winter, causing a wider temperature difference inside the house and local chilling of the flock.

③ In winter, ventilation openings are generally partly covered with feed bags without inner liners to turn sharp winds into slow winds and strong winds into gentle breezes, while also providing oxygen to the chicken house.

④ Appropriately increase the humidity in the chicken house, especially for chickens before 20 days of age.