The brooder is the heated and protected space where your chicks will spend their first weeks. Its preparation takes place before the arrival of the batch — never after. Here is the NEXTEKCI guide, built on the instructions that our technical team repeats every week to poultry farmers, from beginners to professionals.
1. Heat and ventilation: the first pillar
A day-old chick does not yet regulate its body temperature. Provide a reliable heat source — radiant heater, lamp or secure charcoal — and a room that maintains a stable temperature without drafts. The room must be heated before the arrival of the chicks: the cold on the first day affects the entire flock.
Heat and ventilation constitute the first of the 3 critical errors of the first week identified by the NEXTEKCI team. The duo is inseparable: heat is needed, but also healthy air.
2. Litter: dry, clean, non-toxic
Use dry, clean and non-toxic litter — untreated white wood shavings, for example. Three traps to avoid:
- Dusty materials, which irritate the respiratory tract;
- Wet materials, ideal ground for leg and hygiene problems;
- Chemically treated materials, toxic to the chicks.
The litter must evenly cover the floor and remain dry throughout the first week. Check it every day.
3. Water and feeding: everything must be ready beforehand
Set up clean drinkers, filled before the arrival of the batch, with lukewarm water — never icy. On the advice of your technical supervisor, add vitamins. Also prepare the feeders and starter feed: after a quick drink, the chicks must be able to eat without delay.
This point relates to the absolute priority of receiving: after overnight transport, immediate lukewarm water is the first action that secures the start.
4. A calm, clean and secure area
Choose a clean, ventilated and calm room, protected from predators and visitors. Biosecurity is part of the micro-guides J0–J7 of NEXTEKCI: dedicated shoes for the brooder, hand washing before entering, visitors limited to the strict minimum.
Beware of a classic trap: if you have just disinfected the room, ventilate it completely before installing the chicks. Installing the batch immediately after disinfection is one of the critical errors identified by our team.
5. Density and light: anticipating space
Size the brooder according to the number of boxes ordered — each NEXTEKCI box contains exactly 50 chicks. A density that is too high increases stress, crushing and competition at the drinker. Provide soft lighting to keep the batch calm.
The final checklist, the day before arrival
- Tested heat source turned on before arrival
- Room without drafts, ventilated after any disinfection
- Dry, clean, non-toxic litter, evenly distributed
- Drinkers filled with lukewarm water, feeders and starter feed ready
- Calm, protected area, limited access
- WhatsApp NEXTEKCI Info saved: +225 05 44 83 27 79
A well-prepared brooder means 80% less stress on the day of receipt. And if any doubts arise during the start-up, NEXTEKCI support is available 72 hours after delivery, with photos and videos to support, along with micro-guides J0–J7 available on request.