Taking care of your new chicks
Temperature:
One of the leading causes of chick mortality is over heating. For
optimum chick comfort, it's a good idea to have more than one
temperature zone in your brooder container. If you can place your heat
source so that you have a range of 70 degrees F to 98 degrees the
chicks can decide where they are comfortable. Be observant. When chicks
are cold they will pile up on each other. When they are too hot, they
will try to avoid the heat source. Use an appropriately sized heat lamp
for the size of your brooder. Be especially careful with the 250 watt
heat lamps since they are too hot for small brooders and can pose a
fire hazard.
Water:
It is essential that your chicks have clean water at all times. If you
are using a standard chick fount change the water often as they will
soil the water. If their bedding material gets wet, replace with dry
regularly. Wet bedding invites the growth of mold, cocci, and bacteria.
An alternative is to use one of our QCU Poultry brooder bottles which
is easy to keep clean and the bedding stays dry
Bedding:
For the first few days we use non-slip shelf lining material or shop
towels while they learn how to eat their crumbles. Thereafter, we use
sifted pine shavings (sifted to remove dust), straw, or cleaned masonry
sand. Avoid using cedar shavings as it will cause respiratory
irriation. Newspaper or puppy pads can be placed under the bedding if
desired, but it can be too slippery to use without something on top for
the newly hatched babies. Slick surfaces can cause splayed legs in
young chicks.
Feed:
We don't use medicated feed, but if you are raising chicks that have
been shipped, if the brooder is going to be near adult poultry or where
adult poultry has been, or are raising babies from a variety of sources
then it might be a good idea. Please note that ducklings should not be
given medicated feed, only chickens, turkeys, and game birds.
Bio-Security:
Every environment has its share of native bacteria, viruses, and
parasites. Birds that are born to a specific environment have a chance
to naturally develop immunities to what they are exposed to. When moved
to a new place, their immune system can be challenged by exposure to
new varieties. This is normal, but for this reason, when introducing
birds from an area off your farm, it's always advisable to allow for a
quarantine period for the safety of the new birds and the birds you
already have. A period of at least 3 weeks in a clean, stress free
enclosure is recommended so as to not over-expose either group to new
organisms. In this way their bodies can make the necessary protective
antibodies. Provide all birds with a clean/dry environment free
of drafts and age appropriate temperature range. Proper nutrition is
also very important.
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