Raising day-old chicks requires careful planning, especially during the brooding period.
Heat is life to chicks in their first few weeks, and for many poultry farmers like Alex Luwemba, a resident of Matugga in Wakiso district, the most affordable and accessible source of heat is a charcoal stove.
Recently, Luwemba bought 1,000 chicks and was unsure how many charcoal stoves he would need in his 12x30ft brooder.
Like many farmers, he knew heating was crucial, but the specifics of stove size and placement were still unclear to him.
Charles Ayo, a commercial poultry farmer and veterinary doctor based in Zirobwe, offers clarity.
He explains that using charcoal stoves is indeed an effective and widely used method for heating brooders.
According to Ayo, a room measuring approximately 13x30ft can comfortably brood about 1,000 chicks for a period of up to three weeks, the critical brooding phase.
“For a room that size, you will need at least two charcoal stoves, each with a diameter between 12 and 16 inches. These are large enough to radiate sufficient heat across the room without overheating or underheating the chicks,” Ayo says.
However, it’s not just about putting stoves in the room. Ayo emphasises the importance of proper placement. The stoves should be positioned at strategic points within the brooder to allow even heat distribution.
“Farmers should also install heat guards or shields around the stoves to prevent chicks from crowding too close and getting scorched.,” he states.
Ayo explains that ventilation is another crucial factor. Although charcoal stoves are efficient, they emit carbon monoxide. Therefore, the brooder must have proper ventilation to allow fresh air circulation and prevent suffocation.
Ayo advises farmers to monitor temperatures regularly using thermometers and to observe the chicks’ behaviour, if they crowd near the stove, they are cold; if they scatter far away, it’s too hot. Using charcoal stoves effectively requires balancing heat output, air flow, and safety.
