Aaradhya poultry farm

The range of the neutral zone according to the age of the chicken

To take advantage of all the genetic potential, we must keep the temperature as close to the average temperature (target) , where we present a guide that relates the environmental control programs to be used based on the age of the chicken, as well as taking into account the temperature of the outer environment.

It is important to develop different environmental control programs for different ages and climates, since the environmental needs of the animals change. In addition, companies must standardize computer programs inside houses, in order to avoid interference that leads to handling problems.

 Chicken age programs and outdoor environment for Ross 308 chickens.

PROGRAM 1: Rearing

• Chicks are 1-10 days of age.
• In “Program 1” we are going to focus on reaching the ideal temperatures via brooders and minimal ventilation and ventilation power.
• During this age, we use the air movers so as not to generate wind above the chicks.
  • The air movers will work with the first and second static pressure.
  • The first static pressure must be calibrated to offer between 5.5-6 m / s. The second static pressure should offer about 3.5-4 m / s, being able to use tunnel ventilation as an aid.
  • This allows us to open the tunnel when they are using the second static pressure and thus refresh the air. At this age we can easily cool the chicken’s environment, being more careful since we do less damage to the chicken with heat than with cold.

PROGRAM 2: Growing

• Pullets are 11-28 days of age.
• In “Program 2” we will focus on reaching the ideal temperature through the combined functions of minimum ventilation, ventilation power and tunnel ventilation.
• During this period, when we use the air movers we are using the second static pressure most of the time.
• In addition, as the chickens are larger, we can use natural ventilation and tunnel when necessary.
• In this program we will use two extractors for minimum ventilation, the difference between the fan starts at 0.6ºC. We can even use evaporative panels for cooling, but in a very gradual, non-aggressive way.
• Also, we can use the panels when we have between 90-100% of the extractors on. This will help us lower the ambient temperature without having to use air velocity as a tool.

PROGRAM 3: Growing-depopulation

• Chickens are 28 days old until depopulation day.
• In “Program 3”, our goal will be to lower temperatures to keep the bird under maximum comfort and not stop eating.
• Normally, we will not use the power of ventilation (a little at night in some places) and we work with tunnel ventilation all night.
• In this program, the difference between the extractor starts at 0.4ºC.
• In addition, we can use evaporative panels more aggressively to lower the temperature of the house.
• Also, when we reach 90 to 100% of the extractors on we can also use the panels.
• Also in the last week, we used the so-called “bird cooling at night” method to improve conversions. We do that by setting the extractors with a clock or lowering the ideal temperature.