Basics of broiler farming with summer and winter management

Basics of broiler farming with summer and winter management

Kiran S V¹, M.V.Sc Scholar, Livestock Production Management, NDRI, Karnal, 132001

Shashikiran Doddannavar², PhD Scholar, Animal Genetics and Breeding, NDRI, Karnal, 132001.

Amulya G V³, M.V.Sc Scholar, Animal Nutrition, NDRI, Karnal, 132001.

Abstract

Broiler poultry production is a rapidly growing sector that plays a crucial role in providing affordable, high-quality animal protein and generating employment opportunities. With fast growth rates, efficient feed conversion, and short production cycles of 5–6 weeks, broiler farming offers quick economic returns and supports both small- and large-scale farmers. In India, the industry has shown consistent annual growth and holds significant potential for expansion despite low per capita meat consumption.

Successful broiler production depends on proper housing, nutrition, health care, and environmental management. Maintaining optimal conditions such as temperature, humidity, ventilation, and hygiene is essential for maximising growth and minimising disease. The deep litter system is widely adopted due to its cost-effectiveness and ease of management. Balanced feeding practices, adequate space, clean water supply, and a proper vaccination schedule are critical components of efficient broiler management.

Seasonal variations, particularly extreme summer and winter conditions, significantly impact broiler performance. High temperatures in summer reduce feed intake, increase stress, and raise mortality risk, while low temperatures in winter lead to poor growth, increased feed consumption, and greater disease susceptibility. Effective seasonal management strategies, such as improved ventilation, insulation, feeding adjustments, and environmental control, are essential for mitigating these adverse effects and ensuring bird welfare and productivity.

Overall, efficient broiler management, combined with appropriate seasonal adaptations, enhances the productivity, profitability, and sustainability of poultry farming systems.

Keywords:-

Broiler, Feed conversion ratio, Microclimate, Farming, Foggers, Ventilation, Litter material.

Introduction:  

 Broiler farming plays a significant role in providing a nutritious dietary source of protein, vitamins, and minerals. Modern broiler breeds grow rapidly and efficiently convert feed into body weight. This farming can serve as a primary income source or a supplementary livelihood. Additionally, the waste of poultry and the litter acts as a manure which can be used in the field to enhance soil fertility. Broiler farming requires relatively low initial investment, has a short production cycle (5–6 weeks), allows multiple batches annually(5-6batches a year), ensures efficient feed conversion(1.5-1.7kg feed per kg body weight), high dressing percentage (72-75%), provides quick returns, and has strong market demand (because of high demand of meat and it is cheap source of protein and forbidden of religious taboos).

Scope and Importance:

  India has seen remarkable growth in broiler production(8-10% growth per annum), becoming one of the top global producers (India ranks 4^th globally for broiler meat production). However, per capita consumption remains below recommended levels, indicating growth potential(per capita availability of meat is only 7.39kg per annum), and has great export potential. The sector generates employment (for over 5 million people) and benefits from government support and private sector involvement.

Poultry housing

For poultry, the house is very much essential to protect birds from adverse conditions, ensure scientific feeding in a controlled manner, facilitate proper micro-climate conditions in the near vicinity of birds, implement disease control measures, and ensure proper supervision.

BROILER SHED:-

1. Location: The poultry house should be located away from residential and industrial areas. It should have proper road facilities. And the basic amenities like water and electricity.
2. Shed orientation: East-West lengthwise. (Reduces direct sun on side walls), keeps the house cooler.
3. Spacing: Minimum 30-40 feet between two broiler houses. Allows air flow, reduces disease spread, fire safety.
4. Elevation: Build on elevated ground. No water-logging. Floor height 1-2 ft above the surrounding ground.

 Inside a broiler house

1. Flooring: Concrete with 1% slope, or katcha with plastic lining.
2. Side walls: 1-1.5 ft solid wall + wire mesh up to the roof.
3. Curtains: Roll-up polythene curtains for temp control, and to protect from rain and extreme weather conditions.

Height of shed:-

1. Eaves: 7-8 ft minimum. Lower than 7 ft = poor ventilation, heat stress in summer.
2. Ridge: 12-14 ft. Higher ridge = better “chimney effect” for natural ventilation.
3. Solid side wall: Only 1-1.5 ft. Rest is wire mesh + curtain.
4. Width:- Open-sided house, 30-35 feet (range:-25-40 feet) should not exceed 40feet because Center birds get heat stressed, wet litter, poor FCR. Disease starts in the middle & spreads.

Optimal Environmental Conditions for Rearing Broilers:-

Temperature: 22-30°C (70-85°F).

Relative Humidity: 30-60%.

Ammonia level: Less than 25 ppm.

Litter moisture: 15-25%.

Air flow: 10-30 metres/minute.

Floor space requirement and feeder space requirement per bird according to their age:-

Age	Floor space/bird	Feeder space/bird	Waterer space/bird
Up to 18 days	450 cm²	3 cm	1.5 cm
19 days to 42 days	1000 cm²	6-7 cm	3 cm

 

System of housing:-

Broilers can be housed on deep-litter, slatted or wire floor or cages. 

An intensive system of rearing with Floor is provided with a deep litter system:-

Most suitable for rearing broiler poultry. In this system, the birds are kept inside the house all the time. Arrangements for feed, water and nest are made inside the house. The birds are kept on suitable litter material of about 3” to 5” inches in depth. The word litter is used for fresh litter material spread on the floor. Usually, paddy husk, sawdust, groundnut hulls, chopped paddy straw or wood shavings are used as litter materials. This arrangement saves labour involved in frequent cleaning of faecal matter (droppings); however, it needs periodical stirring (Racking). The litter is spread on the floor in layers of 2” height every fortnightly till the required height is achieved.

In this system, vit B2 and vit B12 are made available to birds from litter material from bedding action(a combination of chicken droppings and bedding materials creates a fermented environment rich in micro organisms and nutrient recycling done via caprophagia or pecking), and maintain of this litter material is very important because of direct contact between bird and litter material, respiratory problem may arise.

But, cage, slat and wire floor rearing of broilers is not practised for rearing, because of problems like breast blisters, leg weakness and higher initial investment.

in the system of rearing

1. All in all out system and 2. Multiple batches system

All-in All-out System: here, the farm will have only one batch of broilers, belongs to the same hatch at any time. Sufficient chicks will be purchased to accommodate the entire farm capacity, reared and marketed in a single lot. This system is more hygienic, lesser sub-clinical infections and horizontal spreading of diseases and thereby lesser mortality rate, better growth rate and improved feed efficiency.

However, this system is not suitable for large-scale farming and needs higher fixed and working capital per bird.

Multiple Batch System: The multiple batch system consists of rearing of more than one batch of chicks at any time, with a batch interval of 1 to 4 weeks.

Type of feed.

0-2 Weeks – Broiler Pre-starter mash / crumble, 24%CP and 3000ME Kcal energy.

3-4 Weeks – Broiler Starter mash, 22-23%CP and 2800-2900ME Kcal energy.

5-6 Weeks – Broiler Finisher mash ,19-20% CP and 3000-3100ME Kcal energy.

Watering of broilers:  

Drinking water for broiler should be clear, fresh, colourless and free from any kind of odour. Contaminated water is mostly responsible for a number of problems in causing diseases like Colibacillosis, Coccidiosis, Salmonellosis, Enteritis, Ascites, Septicaemia, Hepatitis, etc.

 The maximum distance between 2 waterers should be 8 ft.

 Brooding:-

Brooding is the process of providing artificial heat, care, and management to day-old chicks until they are able to maintain their own body temperature (usually up to 2–3 weeks of age). Importance of Brooding to maintain optimum body temperature, prevents chilling and mortality, ensures uniform growth, improves feed intake and FCR (Feed Conversion Ratio), and reduces disease incidence (in newborn chicks because of lack of feathers, high body surface area, poor immunity because of developing thermoregulatory system makes them sensitive to cold, so the brooding is required).

Brooding Period:-Typically 0–14 days (may extend to 21 days in winter).

Most critical period: first 7 days .

Vaccination schedule:-

Sl.No	Age	vaccine	Route of administration
1	First day	Marek’s (at hatchery)	S/C at neck
2	5-7th day	RDV F1	I/O or I/N
3	14th day	IBD Vaccine	I/O or I/N
4	21st day	RDV La Sota	Drinking water
5	28th day	IBD Vaccine (Booster)	Drinking water

Precautions to be followed during vaccination

1. Minimise stress during vaccination by handling the chicks gently and by administering anti-stress drugs through drinking water during and after vaccination for 5 to 7 days.
2. Store the vaccine at 2-8 degrees Celsius in the refrigeration chamber of the freezer.
3. Destroy the leftover vaccine along with its container by boiling and disposing of it safely.
4. Use the reconstituted vaccine within 2 hours after reconstitution.

Temperature requirement for birds in broiler farming:-

Age (days)	Temperature(degree celcius)
0-7	32-35°C
8-14	29-32°C
15-21	26-29°C
After 21	21-24°C

 

Reduce temperature by 2-3°C per week.

 MANAGEMENT OF BIRDS DURING SUMMER

 Broilers are highly sensitive to temperature because they lack sweat glands and heavy insulation from feathers and a high metabolic rate due to rapid growth, making it difficult to dissipate body heat. Extreme weather hurts growth and health. To get good growth and profit, and for the comfort of birds, ideal temperatures within practical limits. Best feed efficiency occurs at 21°C-24°C. In tropical areas, this range is only possible in winter. In summer, temperatures rise far above ideal, causing poor growth, reduced egg output, and major financial loss. Good summer management can minimise these losses.

Adverse Effects of High Summer Temperature:

1. Lower feed intake: As temperature rises, birds eat less feed and nutrients because they need less energy to maintain body heat. This results in slower growth and lower body weight.  
2. Higher water intake: Water consumption can double in summer to combat heat stress for thermoregulation, which thereby reduces feed intake.
3. Panting & water loss: High heat raises breathing rate and body temp. Poultry lack sweat glands, so they pant hard to release heat. For each 1°C rise, body heat production drops ∼1%, but respiratory water loss increases.  
4. Reduced body functions: Hot weather lowers oxygen use, blood pressure, pulse, thyroid activity, blood calcium, and body weight.  
5. More disease: Ectoparasites increase in summer/monsoon. High heat + humidity (>70% )can cause Coccidiosis outbreaks. Poor feed intake means less coccidiostat consumed, worsening Coccidiosis.  
6. Metabolic issues: Fatty Liver Haemorrhagic Syndrome, heat stroke, and liver rupture are more common in summer, especially in heavy broilers, because of heat stress and humidity.
7. Feather shedding: Birds drop more feathers in summer to release extra body heat.  
8. Heat prostration risk: When the air temp nears body temp, evaporation through breathing is the only cooling method. This fails if the humidity is also high, leading to death. Fat birds die first due to restricted air sacs.  
9. Mortality timing: Heavy broilers die mostly from heat stroke in late afternoon/evening, because this time represents the culmination of accumulated heat throughout the day, combined with delayed metabolic heat peak from daytime feeding.  

Alleviating Measures:

Alleviating is mainly done to increase ventilation, modify the microenvironment and increase heat dissipation.

1. Roofing: Good roofing can keep the house temp 5-10°C below outside temp. 6-inch thick thatch roofing gives the best summer comfort compared to other materials.
2. Roof height: In non-insulated houses, a higher roof = cooler house. Minimum 4.0m at ridge, 3.5m at eaves.  
3. Eaves overhang: Extend roof eaves at least 1m on all sides to block sun and rain.  4. Ridge ventilation: Install “half-monitor” or “full monitor” type ridge vents.  
4. Insulate in severe heat: Add thatch layer over the roof, or paint the top white/aluminium to reflect the sun. Paint the inner surface black/tar to absorb the inside heat.  
5. House orientation: In the tropics, align the long axis East-West. Face North-South to avoid direct sunlight. Slight tilt: east end toward south, west end toward north. Also prevents drafts and rain splashes in the monsoon.  
6. Cross-ventilation: Use an open type. All sides above 20cm walls should have 12mm 18-gauge chicken mesh or 25mm chain link mesh up to the roof.  
7. House width: Keep ≤10m wide. Beyond 10m, cross-ventilation alone fails. Add ridge vents or mechanical fans.  
8. Tunnel ventilation: Use with pad coolers/ foggers for evaporative cooling. Run 10 AM-6 PM in summer. Less effective in high humidity.  
9. Roof sprinklers: Fix on the rooftop, run from 10 AM to 6 PM to cool the roof through which dissipation of heat occurs from the roof.  
10. Foggers inside: Use in hot, dry weather for evaporative cooling.  

12.Shade trees: Plant fast-growing trees around houses to reduce heat and block monsoon wind drafts.  

13. Water: Birds drink 2x more in heat. Double the watering space in summer. Give plenty of fresh, cool, clean water. Keep pipes shaded. Change water 2+ times/day if it warms up.
14. Feed adjustment: Lower feed energy ∼10% to boost intake in summer. Add 1-2% more protein, plus increase vitamins, minerals, essential amino acids, and coccidiostat.  
15. Feeding time: Digesting feed raises body heat. Don’t feed broilers >4 weeks old during hot hours. With winchable feeders, raise them from 9 AM to 6 PM. Feed at night and cooler times instead.  
16. Fat in feed: Replace 10-15% of carb/protein calories with fat/oil by adding 2-3% fat. Keep total calories the same, only swap carb energy.  
17. Supplements: Give electrolytes, ascorbic acid, sodium bicarbonate, tranquilisers, sodium salicylate, paracetamol, chlorpromazine HCl, and cyproheptadine HCl in feed/water to help birds handle heat.
18. Litter management: Thick/wet litter creates more heat. Keep litter ≤6 cm in summer. Remove caked or wet litter quickly to cut heat.  
19. Space: Avoid overcrowding. Add at least 10% more floor space in summer.
20. Ventilation: If using fans, increase airflow and air exchanges by 25% or more in summer.  
21. Stress: Don’t disturb or scare birds during hot weather.  

MANAGEMENT OF BIRDS DURING WINTER –

India’s winter temps range 40°F-85°F. Ideal house temp is *65-75°F*. Heat the house if it falls below 45°F.  

Adverse Effects of Cold:

1. Mortality: Low temperature kills chicks, by hypothermia, because they cannot regulate their own body temperature for 1^st2 weeks.  
2. Poor growth: Most energy goes to staying warm, so growth slows.  
3. High feed use: Birds eat more feed to keep their body temperature.
4. Damp house: Less evaporation in winter keeps more moisture, making the house damp.  
5. Wet litter: Short roof overhangs let rain splash in and wet the litter.  
6. Water stagnation: Build houses on raised land to avoid standing water, which causes serious diseases.  
7. Body changes: Low temp raises oxygen use, blood pressure, and thyroid size.  
8. Weak immunity: Cold suppresses immunity, so birds get local infections more easily.
9. Respiratory diseases: CRD, infectious bronchitis, avian influenza, coryza, etc., damage the lungs and cut oxygen supply.  

Alleviating Measures:

1. Litter: Use clean litter and make it thicker.  
2. Ventilation: Give good airflow but block cold drafts.  
3. Seal gaps: Close all cracks and holes in the house.  
4. Fix leaks: Remove leaking drinkers and repair roof leaks.  
5. Overhang: Make the roof overhang 4-6 feet to resist wind and stop rain splash.  
6. Lower roof: Reduce roof height to hold heat.  
7. Asbestos roof: Use asbestos roofing to retain warmth inside.  
8. Side curtains: Use curtains in strong winds to seal out cold drafts.  
9. Ceiling fans: Run fans to push warm air from the ceiling down to the birds.  
10. Cover fan: Put plastic sheets on exhaust fans not used in winter.  
11. Solar heat: Use solar heaters and stored energy to warm the house.  
12. Brooding time: Extend chick brooding to 7-10 days in cold weather.  
13. High-energy feed: Add 2-3% oil/fat to feed and raise energy to meet higher needs.  
14. Supplements: Give extra vitamins and minerals.  
15. Immunity boost: Add vitamin C and vitamin E to improve immune response.  
16. Full feeders: Keep feeders full at all times.  
17. Warm water: Provide warm drinking water.  
18. Dry litter: Avoid spilling water on litter.  
19. Stocking density: Increase bird density by 5%.  
20. Roof type: Gable or full monitor roof works best.  

Conclusion

Broiler poultry production is a highly efficient and profitable enterprise that plays a crucial role in meeting the growing demand for affordable animal protein while supporting livelihoods and employment generation. Its success depends on proper housing, balanced nutrition, clean water supply, effective vaccination, and scientific management practices. Maintaining optimal environmental conditions such as temperature, humidity, ventilation, and litter quality is essential to ensure good growth, feed efficiency, and bird health.

Seasonal management is particularly important, as both extreme heat and cold can adversely affect the performance, immunity, and survival of birds. Appropriate summer strategies like ventilation, cooling, and feed adjustment, along with winter practices such as insulation, proper brooding, and energy-rich feeding, help minimise stress and mortality.

Overall, with careful planning, good management, and adaptation to environmental conditions, broiler farming can yield high productivity, better economic returns, and sustainable development in the poultry sector.

Reference-

Poultry Production – G. C. Banerjee. A Textbook of Animal Husbandry. Oxford & IBH Publishing Co., New Delhi.

Indian Council of Agricultural Research – ICAR. Handbook of Animal Husbandry. New Delhi.

Food and Agriculture Organisation – FAO. Poultry production guidelines and management practices.

National Institute of Animal Nutrition and Physiology – Nutritional standards and feeding practices for poultry.

Central Avian Research Institute – Broiler management and housing recommendations.

National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development – Poultry farming project reports and economic data.

Broiler Production – Rahman, M. M. Basics of broiler farming and environmental management.