Ensuring optimal conditions for day-old broiler chicks upon arrival is crucial for their welfare, growth, and global performance of the farm. One fundamental good practice to achieve this is by preheating the poultry house, which helps to create a stable and comfortable environment before chicks’ arrival. Without adequate preheating, chicks may experience cold stress, leading to poor feed and water intake, reduced growth, and increased susceptibility to disease.


To implement this practice effectively, the poultry barn must be heated several hours (36 hours), and often days (3 days) before the chicks’ arrival, depending on external conditions and barn type. This ensures that not only the air but also the litter and floor reach the target temperature, optimising the thermal comfort of the birds. To effectively implement preheating, the farmer follows a precise heating schedule to ensure a gradual and uniform temperature increase.