Market Broiler Management Practice Test

At approximately how many days of age can forced air heaters be used as the primary heat source for broilers?

1. 10 days

2. 12 days

3. 14 days

4. 16 days

The correct answer is: 14 days

Using forced air heaters as the primary heat source for broilers around 14 days of age is appropriate for several reasons. At this age, broiler chicks have developed enough physiological resilience to handle the variations in temperature better than they could in the first few days after hatch. Initially, newly hatched chicks require higher temperatures to maintain their body heat, as they are not yet able to effectively regulate their own body temperature. As they grow, their ability to thermoregulate improves, allowing them to cope with the supplemental heating provided by forced air systems. By around 14 days, they have a more developed thermoregulatory system, enabling them to thrive in a controlled environment with less reliance on direct radiant heat. This transition is crucial for ensuring that the birds do not experience heat stress, which can compromise their growth and overall health. Thus, using forced air heaters as the primary heat source starting at 14 days aligns with the birds’ development stage and management best practices for optimizing growth and welfare in broiler production.