CARE AND BROODING OF BABY CHICKS

Start with:

Clean quarters. The environment should be draft and rodent free.

"This is extremely important!!!"

> Chicks should be started at:

95 degrees for the first 10 days

decrease the temperature 5 degrees each week thereafter

providing the outside temperature permits.

The ideal temperature for:

6 week old chicks is 70 degrees.

The most commonly used brooder is the 4 bulb, 250 watt (heat bulb) brooder lamp. These lamps are adequate for 300 chicks.

For smaller flocks single lamp brooders may be used.

When decreasing the temperature consider the behavior of your chicks at all times.

You will be able to tell on sight if the chicks are warm enough.

If chicks are cold they will pile up.
The chicks will be moving around, eating and drinking if they are comfortable.

A barrier

should be placed around the heat lamps to keep the chicks near the heat.
The barrier should be at least 1 foot high and long enough to form a 3 to 5 foot circle around the brooder lamps.
Remove the barrier after 10 days.

Provide 2 to 4 inches of suitable litter, cane pulp, shavings, straw and other types of litter may be used. Litter must always be kept dry. Avoid slick surfaces such as newspaper, which  can cause serious leg problems.

Chicks must have fresh feed and clean water at all times. Feed a good quality medicated starter feed for the first 6 to 8 weeks then change to a chick grower feed. It is a good idea to scatter fine cracked corn or fine grit on top of the feed for the first 2 to 3 days. This will assure a better start for the chicks digestive system. We recommend two 1 gallon water fountains and two 24 inch feeders for each 100 chicks. Use larger feeders and fountains as chicks get older.

PLEASE NOTE: It's very important to follow the care and brooding instructions to the letter to ensure chicks  get  a  good  start. We guarantee all poultry to arrive alive and in good condition. If for some reason they do not, replacements are made. Mt. Healthy will not be responsible for any losses due to neglect.