Brooding is the care of young chicks immediately after hatching until they can regulate their own body temperature.
During this stage, farmers provide heat, feed, water, and protection. Common heat sources include charcoal jikos, kerosene lamps, gas brooders, and electric heaters. Good brooding reduces chick mortality and improves growth. Farmers must keep the brooder clean, well-ventilated, and free from drafts. For example, in Kenya, many poultry farmers brood chicks for about four weeks before moving them to grow-out housing.
See also: Incubator, Hatchery, Grow-out, Chick mortality, Poultry housing