Many poultry farmers lose chicks not during the day, but at night. Why? Because a day-old chick cannot yet regulate its own temperature and it is at night that the air cools, vigilance decreases, and heat sources weaken. Here’s how to secure your nights.
The best thermometer: the behaviour of the chicks
Rather than chasing a precise number, the NEXTEKCI team teaches all its clients to read behaviour, valid both day and night:
- chicks huddled in a pile under the source: they are cold, increase the heat;
- chicks far from the source, wings spread: it is too hot, reduce it;
- chicks well distributed in the room: the temperature is good.
Do this visual check just before going to bed and, ideally, once during the night in the first week.
Prepare for the night from the evening
- Check your heat source (radiant heater, lamp or secure charcoal): sufficient fuel, stable installation, no fire risk.
- Block drafts: the room must maintain a stable temperature; a night draft cools the flock abruptly.
- Check the litter: dry and clean, it insulates from the cold ground; damp, it worsens cooling.
- Provide soft lighting: it limits stress and allows chicks to find water and feed.
Nighttime mistakes that cost dearly
The first mistake, the most common, is heating the room after noticing that the chicks are cold: the cold of the first day — and the first night — affects the entire flock. The heat must be in place and stable before the arrival of the flock and checked every evening.
The second mistake: overcrowding. A density that is too high causes chicks to huddle together, and nighttime crowding leads to crushing. Respect the recommended density for your room.
And what if a problem arises at 2am?
Never face a doubt alone. Prostrated subjects, persistent piles despite the heat, abnormal mortality upon waking: send photos or videos to WhatsApp Infos NEXTEKCI. Support covers the 72 hours following receipt, the most critical period.
A question about the heat in your chick house, day or night? Write to us on WhatsApp at +225 05 44 83 27 79, our team will respond quickly.