Brooding Management for Ross Broilers: Days 0–7

The first week of a Ross broiler chick’s life is critical. Proper brooding management for Ross broilers ensures strong health, optimal growth, low mortality — setting up the flock for good performance. This section outlines the guidelines of environmental parameters, management practices, and key monitoring tasks for the first seven days (days 0–7).

Preparation before chicks arrive

• House preparation
  • Clean & disinfect the broiler house, feeders, drinkers, litter. Remove all organic matter and dry thoroughly.
  • Pre-heat the house at least 24 hours before arrival. Ensure that both air and floor/bedding temperatures are stable.
  • Ensure ventilation works, no drafts, and equipment (heating, lighting, feeding, water) is in good condition.

• Litter
  • Choose litter material with good absorbency (wood shavings, rice hulls, chopped straw etc.). Spread to a moderate depth to avoid cold floor contact but thin enough to avoid dampness accumulation.
  • Ensure litter is dry and non-caked.

• Equipment layout
  • Place feeders and drinkers so chicks can easily find them. Use supplementary drinkers for the first few days.
  • Lighting should cover the brooding area to help chicks locate feed & water.
  • Heating rings / brooders if used should be centered and capable of being adjusted.

Temperature and Humidity Targets

Day	Air Temperature at Chick Level*	Relative Humidity (RH)
Day 0 (placement)	~ 32-36 °C depending on RH (for Ross, a common target is ~ 36 °C if RH is ~ 50-60%)	~ 60-70 %
Day 3	Gradually reduce to ~ 33-34 °C	Maintain RH around 60-70 %
Day 6-7	Further reduction to ~ 31-32 °C (depending on behavior of chicks and ambient conditions)	RH around 60 %

• Ventilation
  • Minimum ventilation from day one, to bring in fresh air and remove moisture, CO₂, ammonia, etc., without causing drafts.

• Behavioral observations are crucial
  • If chicks huddle together under heaters = too cold.
  • If they spread toward the edges, crowd near walls, panting = too hot.
  • Uniform distribution under heat sources is ideal.

Lighting

• Provide nearly continuous lighting during the first 7 days (for example, 23 hours light / 1-hour dark) to stimulate feed & water intake.
• Light intensity should allow chicks to clearly see feed and water, but not so bright as to cause stress.
• Use dimmer/adjustable lights or light curtains if needed.

Feed & Water Management

• Starter Feed
  • Use a high-quality starter diet appropriate for Ross broilers. Nutrient density should support good early growth (protein, essential amino acids, energy, vitamins, minerals).

• Particle size/form
  • Fine crumble or small mash is ideal so chicks can eat easily.

• Feeder type and placement
  • Use tray feeders or paper with feed scattered near drinkers on day 0 so chicks find feed easily.
  • Ensure feed is evenly distributed.
  • As days go on, transition to regular feeders.

• Water
  • Fresh, clean water available from the start. Some farms dip beaks of chicks in water to help them find water.
  • Water temperature should be warm (not cold). Cold water discourages drinking and can chill chicks.
  • Use supplementary drinkers for the first 2-3 days.
  • Ensure water flow / drinker height is correct to avoid leakage or chicks not being able to use them.

Stocking Density & Brooder Space

• At placement, chicks need space to avoid overcrowding under heat sources. Brooding rings or brooder guards can help concentrate heat but must be used properly.
• Gradually expand brooding rings and remove them by day 5-7.
• If using whole-house brooding (i.e., heating the entire floor space), ensure even heating coverage.

Health, Biosecurity & Monitoring

• Chick quality
  • On arrival, check for vigor, properly dried after hatch, free of deformities, fully retracted yolk sac, healed navel.

• Crop fill checks
  • This is very important in first 24-48 hours. The crop should be soft and full of feed (and water). Targets might be ~ 75% full at 2h, 95% at 24h. If many chicks have empty crops, investigate feed/water access.

• Vent temperature
  • Measure body/vent temperature in sample chicks during first few days to assess comfort. Aim for approximately 39.4-40.8 °C in Ross chicks.

• Day-to-day monitoring
  • Mortality and culls: note abnormal behavior, but small deaths are expected.
  • Litter condition: moisture, cleanliness.
  • Air quality: ammonia, dust.
  • Feed & water consumption: gives indication of health & environment.
  • Behavior: are they eating, drinking, resting normally? Are there signs of distress?

• Biosecurity
  • Limit farm traffic, disinfect footwear, tools. Avoid exposure to wild birds, rodents. Any visitors should follow protocols.

Movement of chicks before and after placement

Sample Schedule: What to Do Each Day (Days 0-7)

Day	Key Tasks / Focus
Day 0 (placement)	Unload chicks quickly; place them onto paper with feed & water available. Ensure environment is prepped (heat, humidity, lighting). Do initial crop fill check at ~2h post-placement. Monitor whether chicks are able to find feed & water.
Day 1	Continue monitoring temp/behavior. Clean water troughs, adjust drinker height if needed. Keep feed fresh and plentiful. Observe crop fill again (~8-12h).
Day 2–3	Gradually adjust temperature downward if chicks seem comfortable. Expand brooding area / brooder ring. Maintain high light. Confirm feed & water access throughout. Monitor litter for damp spots.
Day 4–5	Remove brooding rings completely by day ~5-7. Ensure chicks are transitioning to main feeders. Start moving feed away from supplemental trays. Monitor growth (weigh sample birds perhaps).
Day 6-7	Steady environment; ensure uniformity in the flock. Check that ventilation is sufficient. Continue checking water & feed equipment. Ensure litter remains dry & clean. Prepare for transition into next phase of rearing.

Target Performance Indicators (for First 7 Days)

• Mortality: Should be low; high mortality points to management, environment or chick quality problems.
• Weight Gain / Uniformity: Chicks should gain steadily; uniformity is very important so that there are no lagging birds.
• Feed Conversion: During starter phase, good feed conversion helps reduce feed costs later.
• Health: No signs of pasty-vent, dehydration, leg problems, respiratory issues.

Summary

• The success of the flock largely depends on doing brooding well. Mistakes in the first week are hard to catch up later.
• Maintain optimal temperature & humidity, maintain clean environment, ensure feed & water are accessible.
• Observe chick behavior; the birds will tell you if conditions are wrong (crowding, panting, huddling).
• Be proactive: monitor crop fill, gut development, health signs daily.
• Keep everything clean; strong biosecurity ≥ fewer health problems.