- ✓Know the features of a good open-sided house in a hot climate and the density to respect
- ✓Carry out cleaning and disinfection in the right order
- ✓Prepare the litter, equipment and heating for arrival
A well-designed open-sided house
In Côte d’Ivoire, most broilers are raised in open-sided houses with curtains. A well-designed house keeps the birds cool during the day and protects them from cold and draughts at night.
- East-west orientation: the long sides do not catch the sun in the hot hours.
- Well-drained, well-ventilated site, away from other poultry.
- Light-coloured or reflective roof on the outside and, if possible, insulated: this is the most useful insulation.
- Roof overhang of about 1.25 m to shade the sides.
- Low wall of about 0.50 m, then wire mesh and curtains along the whole length.
- Curtains well closed at the bottom, with no holes, overlapping the solid wall by at least 15 cm.
Source: Cobb. The idea is simple: the heat stays under the roof, and the air flows at bird level.
How many birds per square metre?
Density is calculated in kilos of chicken per m² at sale, not just in number of chicks on arrival.
| Type of house | Maximum density | Roughly, at sale |
|---|---|---|
| Open-sided house, natural ventilation, circulation fans | 30 kg of chicken per m² | 10 to 12 birds per m² sold at around 2.5 to 3 kg |
| Open-sided house with side fans | 35 kg per m² | 12 to 14 birds per m² |
Source: Cobb.
In the hot season, or if you sell heavy birds, keep rather to 8 to 10 birds per m². Too many birds per m² means more heat, more mortality and wet litter.
With natural ventilation, 10 to 12 birds per m² gives 5,000 to 6,000 birds. In the hot season, at 8 to 10 per m², you come down to 4,000 to 5,000 birds. Fewer live, heavy birds are better than many crowded birds dying of heat at the end of the flock.
Cleaning and disinfection between two flocks
The order matters: you never disinfect a dirty surface, because disinfectant does not get through dirt.
- 1. Remove all the birds, treat against insects straight away, keep up rodent control.
- 2. Empty the remaining feed, take the litter out in covered vehicles, away from the house.
- 3. Remove the dust, then wash with detergent, from top to bottom: roof, walls, curtains inside and out, floor.
- 4. Clean the water tank and pipes: cleaning solution left in for at least 12 hours, then rinse.
- 5. Wash the dismantled equipment (feeders, drinkers), repair, clean the surroundings.
- 6. Let it dry, then disinfect with a broad-spectrum product, from top to bottom.
- 7. Leave the house empty and dry before the next flock (downtime).
Source: Cobb.
The litter
| Material | Minimum depth | Comment |
|---|---|---|
| Rice husks | 5 cm | Good choice, inexpensive |
| Softwood shavings | 2.5 cm | Excellent |
| Dry sawdust | 2.5 cm | Risk of damp and mould |
| Chopped straw | 1 kg per m² | Acceptable |
Source: Cobb.
Take a handful of litter and squeeze. It should stick slightly then crumble. If it stays in a ball, it is too wet: risk of ammonia, foot burns and disease. Do this test before arrival, then every week during the flock.
The day before arrival: the checklist
- Heating switched on at least 48 hours before: floor, air and humidity must be stable 24 hours before arrival.
- Floor at at least 32 °C in the brooding area (about 40 °C just under the brooders).
- 14 to 16 drinkers per 1,000 chicks (including mini drinkers for the first days), filled with clean water at room temperature.
- 1 feeding tray or paper per 50 chicks, with crumbled starter feed: about 50 to 65 g per chick on the paper.
- Nothing under the heat source; no draught at floor level.
Source: Cobb.
You need 70 to 80 drinkers, 100 trays or papers, and about 250 to 325 kg of starter feed laid on the papers. Count this equipment the day before, not on the morning of arrival.
For the entrepreneur
- ›Work out the number of chicks to order from the floor area and the season, not the other way round: 8 to 10 birds per m² in the hot season.
- ›A light or reflective roof and a roof overhang of about 1.25 m are investments that protect every flock.
- ›Plan time in the calendar for cleaning, disinfection and downtime.
For the technician
- ›Follow the 7 cleaning steps in order; only disinfect a clean, dry surface.
- ›Lay the right depth of litter and do the hand test.
- ›Switch the heating on 48 hours before and check the floor temperature (at least 32 °C) the day before.
The 3 questions to ask your technician this week
- How many chicks can the house take this season, at what density?
- What time was the heating switched on, and what is the floor temperature?
- How many drinkers and trays are in place for the number of chicks expected?
Key points
- •East-west house, light roof, overhang of about 1.25 m, low wall of about 0.50 m, curtains with no holes.
- •Maximum density with natural ventilation: 30 kg per m² (10 to 12 birds); 8 to 10 birds per m² in the hot season.
- •Clean from top to bottom, dry, then disinfect; pipes cleaned for at least 12 hours.
- •Litter: rice husks 5 cm minimum; hand test before arrival.
- •Heating 48 hours before; floor at least 32 °C; 14 to 16 drinkers and 20 trays per 1,000 chicks.