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• Caring for Baby Chicks

Litter:

Use wood chips, rice or oat hulls. Ground cobs (not finely ground) should cover the area to depth of 2-3"

Heat:

For the first week carry temperature at 95¦. Reduce this temperature 5 degrees per week. The chicks will tell you if they are NOT comfortable... crowding under the heat if chilling and getting away from the heat if too warm. Heat bulbs work fine if used correctly. The face of the bulb should be 26-30 inches from the litter. Figure two 125 watt heat bulbs for 50 to 75 chicks; 3-4 bulbs for 100 to 150 chicks. KEEP IN MIND... the area where the heat rays "hit" the litter must be sufficient to permit chicks to get "under the heat".

Water:

For the first hour after chicks arrive, provide them with water ONLY (NO feed). To this water add + cup sugar and 1 level teaspoon of Terramycin per gallon. After 1 hour, set the feeders into the pen. Continue the Terramycin at 1 teaspoon per gallon for the second day (no sugar), and then clean fresh water after that. Start with two 1-gallon waterers per 100 chicks, adding further waterers as chicks get older. Figure 1 inch of watering space per chick to 16 weeks of age and 1+ per bird after that.

Feed:

Place filled feeders in pen with chicks AFTER they have consumed water for 1 hour. Start chicks on a 20% protein (22% protein if possible for broilers) starter ration. At 8 weeks of age, switch to an 18-19% Chick Grower (for broilers, switch to an 18% grower at 5 weeks of age). Make sure your chicken feeds do contain a coccidiostat to help prevent coccidiosis. DO NOT cut your starter and/or grower feeds by feeding extra ground corn or oats on the side. Taking short cuts like that rarely saves money and more often than not they cost your money with slower growth and more growing problems.

Draft Shield:

A shield of corrugated paper, baled straw or hay must surround the starting area of the chicks when they first arrive. This is very important during cold, early spring starting periods. Do not corral the chicks under the heat lamps or brooder. This can lead to dehydration which will bring on mortality. Chicks MUST be able to get away from heat source if they so desire.

Floor Space:

Figure one-half square foot per bird for first two weeks. Increase to one square foot per bird after that. Crowding your birds does not save money. It will normally "cost you" with higher mortality and increased feed costs.

Light:

Heat lamps will provide light during the starting period. When no longer needed, use a 25-40 watt bulb depending on number of birds in the flock. A little light is all that is needed.

Picking Problems:

If a picking problem develops in your birds... check to make sure you have good ventilation in the building. Birds 1-2-3 weeks old, for example, may commence picking around the tail stub, wing bow or neck areas! If this occurs, dab pine tar or axle grease right on the picked areas. This will generally stop the picking!