The brooding period for commercial chicks requires careful temperature management and environmental conditions that significantly influence health and welfare throughout production.
Inadequately brooded chicks suffer from hypothermia-induced distress and fail to thrive. The first week of life is critical for gut development that influences disease susceptibility and welfare throughout the production cycle. Chilling causes high early mortality and long-term welfare compromises in surviving birds. Good brooding practice including temperature profiling, appropriate stocking density, and early feed and water access has lasting welfare benefits that extend far beyond the brooding period itself.