• Thus, it is often difficult to maintain the body temperature properly for the first few weeks of life-as birds might be subjected to chilling if not properly introduced to a regulated heat source.
• Brooding can be classified into natural and artificial brooding:
• Natural brooding: Involves the help of broody hens after hatching, up to 3 to 4 weeks of age.
• Artificial brooding: A large number of chicks can be reared in the absence of broody hens.
• Equipment used for artificial brooding is called brooders. These are composed of three elements:

1. A heating source (electrical,  gases like natural gas, methane, liquid fuel like kerosene, solid fuel like coal, wood can be used as a heating material).
2. Reflectors (concentrates the heat emanating from the heating source).
3. Brooder guard.

Precautions while using a Gas Brooder with Infrared Functions

• Check the brooder for proper temperature 24 hours prior to the arrival of chicks.
• This brooder does not come with a thermostat, thus it works via manual adjustment of the gas-flow/know and height level to control heat intensity. Kindly click here to buy the digital temperature and humidity meter which can be adapted as well.
• Switch on the brooder heating source several hours before the arrival of the chicks in order to maintain the required brooding temperature.
• Watch the reaction of the chicks to the heating source in order to find out if the temperature provided is appropriate.
• Thus, the heat intensity can be adjusted by reducing the power of the bulb or raising the heating element higher for the birds.
• In case of too low temperature, there needs to be a supplement to the heating source. Also, the heating source can be further lowered to the ground.