Caring for day old chickens

 

     Most important is correct temperature if you don’t have enough heat your chicks will die.  You want ambiance temperature (so every brooder is slightly different due to size and air flow) around 30 deg Celsius .Plastic storage crates 57 litres at least do a good job as a brooder. (Long box with heat source at one end so chicks can find a comfortable temperature)

 

     Power saving globes do not give off heat you want either the old fashion incandescent globes if you still have some or par 38 outdoor globes also do a good job (spot light hanging over your bar-be-que type) you can buy 80 watt colored globes for these (white globes are fine but are usually 150 watts with these types so you have to adjust box etc.) 80 watts usually gives off enough heat if you keep brooders inside. But be aware that the chicks will be at their coldest in early hours of morning so check them before bed and if temp is going to drop over night cover half box to hold the heat in or up the wattage of your globe always remember they need some air) It is not good if humidity builds up this can lead to Coccidiosis .You can also buy reptile heating globes from some pet shops these are ceramic and expensive ( I personally don’t like them because you can not see if they blow you have to rely on chicks reactions to know)

 

      Hot days over 30 deg you can turn your lights off. Chicks will tell you if they are cold or hot by their behavior. If they are cuddled up under the light chirping something is wrong they are cold if they are hiding down the other end of the box away from the light they are hot you either need to drop the wattage of the globe, uncover or turn off the light  for the day. As your chicks grow they will need less heat by the time they are 6 weeks old they should be fully feathered and able to be placed in a smaller rabbit hutch or similar that is sheltered always acclimatize your chicks slowly.

 

     Water bowls always remember chicks that are wet are cold and can die. They need a shallow water bowl that they can climb out of if they fall in or they will drown (the worst time is at about 6 weeks when they need more volume of water). Putting rocks or bricks into water bowls can help with this problem so they have something to climb out on if they fall in.

 

     Feed chick starter with coccidostat there is only a couple of brands that add the coccidostat that I know of Milnes, Wesfeeds and Poulty Co-op so if you are buying small bags from your feed merchant check it has coccidostat. When hand raising chicks this is very important because you are keeping your chicks in a small area and they re-eat their poo etc and get too much coccidisis that is naturally in their crop and it can start eating their crop lining.

If your chicks have blood in their poo they have coccidiosis and will need an additional coccidiostat put in their water otherwise they could die.

 

       Don’t be scared of raising your chicks Im trying to cover things that can go wrong but if you know about them they rarely do. The most important things to remember is temperature and keeping your brooder dry and clean and you will have healthy and happy babies and heaps of fun raising them.

 

      One last thing to remember especially for people up north in hot country. Chickens need cool water to drink, shade and if you are worried about them don’t be scared to hose them down with water to cool them off or put a garden spray retic system over your chook pen for those hot days but please remember if you have tracter type cages to put them in the shade on those hot days and that the shade moves with the day. If in doubt and you are away for the day let them out to free range so they can find a cool spot for themselves and big water bowls with rocks so they don’t drown in the shade.

 

 

WRITTEN BY Liz Compagnoni

COMP’S POULTRY AND BIRDS

www.poultryandbirdswesternaustralia.com

 

ph. 0417 933577

WE FREIGHT CHICKENS ALL OVER AUSTRALIA SO RING FOR A QUOTE