Chick temperature Measuring body temperature
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Cloacal temperature is not used often, but this is the best method of measuring body temperature. Make sure the thermometer is inserted into the cloaca to a depth of 2 cm, to ensure a correct reading. Lubricate the tip with a little Vaseline to make insertion easier. Using an IR ear thermometer on the chick’s cloaca is more animal-friendly. But this is less accurate and often shows a slightly lower reading.
Make sure your pulling procedures are good, to reduce the risk of overheating. The body temperature of chicks should be 40.0-40.5°C post-hatch. Chicks that suffer overheating are more susceptible to intestinal damage, which reduces their ability to uptake nutrients from their feed. With broilers, this makes a difference of more than 60 grams body weight at 35 days, compared with chicks that started under the right conditions. Conditions in storage can be too cold if the ventilation rate is too high. Prevent chicks being exposed to cold draughts. However, being too cold is less harmful than too hot. Chick behaviour says a lot about their temperature: are they panting or huddled together?
To properly assess chick temperature, it is important to know which measuring method is used. Measuring cloacal temperature with an ordinary thermometer (rectal thermometer) and using an IR-thermometer (ear thermometer) on the cloaca are the most commonly used methods. The IR-method will give you a result 0.5°C lower than the cloacal temperature.
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How to measure chick temperature
If trolleys filled with chicks in transport crates are kept in a holding area for too long, the heat can build up and rise. The chicks in the upper crates will overheat most quickly. Or get cold if too cool air blows over the crates.
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You can assess a chick’s temperature by holding its legs against your cheek. You will notice cold legs very quickly this way.
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