Temperature for Broilers

SummaryThis review attempts to structure the considerable international literature relating to brooding and growing temperatures. In the absence of a generally accepted model it provides recommendations based on response experiments.Where radiant spot heaters arc not used a brooding temperature of 31°C is suggested at day 1 decreasing to 21°C at 17 to 21 days. However this should be regarded as a guideline to be modified according to observed chick behaviour.For systems based on radiant spot heaters where the housing is free from draughts and feed and water are within easy reach of the chicks, room temperatures in the range 20° to 25° may be adequate.After the brooding stage the optimum temperature depends particularly on the ratio of live weight value to feed cost. Where this is about 3:1 and where, without excessive expenditure on heating or cooling, climate and housing systems permit, the optimum is likely to be around 20° to 22°C. As the price ratio widens the optimum temperature falls and vice versa.