How long do I brood newly hatched chicks and at what temperatures?
Brooding temperatures will depend largely on whether brooders (lamps or hoods) are used or whole room brooding is used. When birds cannot move away from the heat source such as in forms of whole room brooding one can reduce the temperature by a few degrees. The key to good brooding is to watch the behavior of the birds. • Guinea Fowl: Start at 35o C (95o F) and reduce 2-3 degrees (5o F) per week until 6 weeks • Chuckar Partridge: Brood at 35o C (95o F) and reduce 2-3 degrees (5o F) per week until the temperature reaches 21.1o C (70o F) • Pheasants: Brood at 35o C (95o F) and reduce the temperature by 2.8o C (5o F) per week until the temperature reaches 21.1o C (70o F) • Bobwhite and Japanese Quail: • Bobwhite: Start at 35o C (95o F) and reduce the temperature by 2.8o C (5o F) per week until the temperature reaches 21.1o C (70o F) • Japanese: Brood 3-4 weeks at 35o C (95o F) for the first week. Decrease 2.8o (5o F) per week after the first week • Silkies: Start at 35o C (95o F) and redu
