Detailed Explanation of Key Points for Broiler Chicken Rack Farming Technology

1. Construction of the chicken house. The chicken house is best located far from villages, on slightly elevated ground with good ventilation. Whether building an asbestos tile house or a bungalow, the house must not be too low, as a house that is too low has poor insulation in winter and poor heat protection in summer. Set skylights on the roof, leave ventilation openings at the base of the walls, and the doors and windows must not be too small. The span of the house is best kept above 5 m.

2. Heating and warming. Temperature is the key to improving the survival rate of broiler chickens. After the chicken house is built, the heating equipment is best a heated brick bed (kang). The fire head of the kang should be built against the gable wall on the side near the door. After the heat channel enters the house, it splits into left and right branches, merges together at the other gable wall, and is discharged through a chimney outside the wall. The heat channels are about 0.75-1.50 m from the left and right walls.

3. Construction of the racks. The chicken racks are generally built about 1-1.2 m above the ground, along both sides of the house, directly above the heat channels, with a corridor of about 0.5-0.75 m left in the middle to facilitate cleaning manure, adding feed and water, and other tasks. The racks are built with bamboo poles or wooden sticks 2-2.5 cm in diameter, and should be strong enough to bear the weight of adult chickens.

4. Preparation before introducing chicks. For a newly built chicken house, simply spray once with a disinfectant. For example, spray with Baidusha, Xiaodu Wang, etc. If it is an old chicken house, first carefully scrub the equipment clean, then spray with a 2% NaOH solution. Then fumigate with potassium permanganate and formaldehyde, and finally spray with Baidusha. After all disinfection is completed, start a fire to pre-warm so that the temperature in the brooding area reaches 32-35°C. The preheating time depends on the season and outside temperature. Generally, preheat for 2-3 days in winter, 2 days in spring and autumn, and 1 day in summer. Check the thermometer at any time to see whether the temperature meets the requirements. When preheating with a stove, prevent gas poisoning.

5. Management after introducing chicks. After the chicks are introduced, give them water first, adding electrolytic multivitamins and glucose to the drinking water to reduce stress during transport. The best standard for the temperature after introducing chicks is that the flock feels comfortable. If the flock stays away from the heat source and shows open-mouth breathing, it indicates the temperature is too high. If the flock gathers close to the heat source and huddles together, it indicates the temperature is too low. If the flock lies evenly scattered around the edge of the heat source, it indicates the temperature is moderate. Generally, the temperature is 32-35°C in the first week, then drops by about 3°C each week, and finally about 21°C is more suitable. Within the suitable temperature range for broiler chickens, the ideal humidity is about 40-72%. Excessive humidity can induce various diseases such as coccidiosis; too low humidity increases dust in the air and makes respiratory diseases likely. Broiler chickens generally use 24-hour lighting. If 1 hour of darkness is provided each day, it can help the chickens adapt to a dark environment, so that once there is a power outage, they will not crowd together and suffocate. The principle for light intensity in broiler chickens is from strong to weak. At 1-2 weeks, there should be 2.7 watts of light per square meter. This helps the chicks familiarize themselves with the environment and fully eat and drink. From the third week, change to 0.7-1.3 watts per square meter. Strong light is harmful to the flock and hinders growth, while weak light can keep the flock calm and is beneficial for growth and fattening. Fresh air and appropriate circulation inside the chicken house are prerequisites for raising broiler chickens. Sufficient oxygen can keep the chickens in good health. Generally, the oxygen content in the chicken house should be kept above 18%, and excessive ammonia should be avoided inside the house. Inhaling too much ammonia can irritate the trachea, cause tracheitis, conjunctivitis, ascites, etc., and also increase the chance of coccidiosis infection, thereby reducing feed conversion rate and causing slow growth. Regular vaccination can effectively prevent the occurrence of infectious diseases. Such as Newcastle disease, infectious bursal disease, bronchitis, etc. Broiler chickens generally only need 4 vaccinations. In the first week, use H120 for nasal drops and eye drops; in the second week, use bursal disease vaccine in drinking water; in the third week, use H52 in drinking water; and in the fourth week, use bursal disease vaccine once more. Observing the flock allows you to understand the health status of the chickens at any time. Healthy chickens are spirited, responsive, and have a strong appetite. Unhealthy chickens are listless, slow-moving, with shrunken necks and closed eyes, slow to respond, standing apart from the flock, with drooping wings and poor spirits. Under normal conditions, the droppings have a certain shape, are grayish-brown, and have a certain amount of white material attached to the surface. If the droppings are abnormal, it indicates that disease has been contracted, and timely diagnosis and treatment are needed to avoid economic losses.