Proper Care for Chicks

Good egg layers begin with proper care when they are still chicks. There are a number of a must have equipments for the proper care of chicks. A brooder is a key equipment or facility which could be as simple as a cardboard box.

One must ensure that there is enough space for the chick movement. One should never forget to include a water container and a feeder in the brooder.

A thermometer is also critical for the proper care of chicks. It should be kept inside the brooder in order to control the temperature of the brooder. If the chicks stand while spreading out their wings, then the brooder is too warm, on the other hand, if they are all clumped together then the brooder is too cold. Proper temperatures in the brooder make the chicks to get off a good start.

A source of heat is crucial as the chicks need to be kept pretty hot. During the first week they require an air temperature   of 35 degrees doing down by 5degrees per week until the day that they will be ready to be removed from the brooder. An infrared bulb is placed right in the middle of their living area and suspended off the ground. The height of the light will depend on the target temperature.

Feed is key in success of chick production. Different suppliers have formulated special feed chicks need normally known as starter feed and which can either be crumbles or mash. This feed is called starter feed and it can either be crumbles or mash. If the chicks have been vaccinated against coccidosis all they need is un-medicated feed.

Hygiene is also a matter of importance in the management of chicks. Proper attention must be paid to manure management. Chick droppings should be removed from the brooder at least once a week however, in cases where the chicks are in-housed; the floor should be swept on a daily basis. This is because; the process of manure decomposition can produce bacteria harmful to the chicks. Good ventilation discourages the spread of pests and diseases. In cases where the chicks sleep on the floor, perches should be placed on the floor to keep the chicks dry.

If the chicks have already been infested with mites, they can be safely moved to another room to allow fumigation of the brooder or the house with a rag drenched in kerosene. In instances where they have been infested with lice, dust baths with naphthalene powder in the ash can be used.