One of the secrets of the correct fattening of chickens is in the reception

If we want to guarantee a correct fattening of our chickens, we must start with a proper reception of them in the poultry house...

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• If we want to guarantee a correct fattening of our chickens, we must start with a proper reception of them in the poultry house.

The time that elapses from when the chick hatches until it is placed on the farm is essential, especially if the chicks come from young hens.

• The chicks must arrive at the unloading in the house in the right conditions. This can be assessed by testing, for example, their agility – placing a chick on its back, it must stand up in 3 seconds – or measuring its cloacal temperature.
• Ideally, this cloacal temperature should be between 40.4 ºC – 40.8 ºC. Young birds with lower cloacal temperatures may need a degree or two more wind chill.

Weight losses during transport of 0.24% / hour are normal. Without incidents, this can be estimated at 1 gram per chick; in abnormal conditions, it can be 4 to 5 grams per chick.

Photo 1. Good uniformity in the distribution of chicks upon arrival at the poultry house