The number of chickens per square meter of feeding area of ​​automatic broiler equipment is called stocking density, and the feeding and drinking position occupied by each chicken is also an indispensable condition for grasping stocking density. If the density is too high, the flock is crowded, the environmental humidity is increased, the feed intake is uneven, the chick flock is not well-developed, susceptible to disease and pecking, the chick's constitution becomes weak, the mortality rate increases, and the growth rate decreases.

The density is small, although it is conducive to the survival and growth of chicks, but it is not conducive to heat preservation and is not economical. The density should be adjusted according to the type of chick, breed, brooding method, season, age, ventilation and other factors. Automatic breeding equipment cage brooding should be sparsely grouped with the increase of age, the density should be reduced by about 30% at 3-4 weeks of age, and the density should be reduced by about 15% at 5-6 weeks of age.

Egg-type chicks at 1-4 weeks of age occupy a trough position of 2 to 2.5 cm each, and increase to 5.0 cm each at 5-6 weeks of age. If feeding buckets are used, 35 chicks per bucket at 1-4 weeks of age and 25 chicks per bucket at 5-6 weeks of age. One-week-old chicks usually use vacuum drinkers, each of which can provide water for 50 to 70 chickens. If a water tank is used, the position of each water tank for 0-6 week-old chicks is 1 to 2 cm.

Broiler chickens are suitable for higher densities, but this also depends on specific conditions. Generally, the stocking density of flat raising on the net is higher than that of the bedding field, and the ventilation conditions are good, and the density can be appropriately increased. Stocking density can be increased by 10% in winter and reduced by 10%-20% in summer.

A reasonable stocking density can provide chicks with an equal opportunity to drink water and feed, which is conducive to improving uniformity, and can also prevent chicks from pecking anus and feathers.