Episode 77 - Raising Day Old Chicks
Raising Day Old Chicks
- Housing & Space Requirements
- Brooder Setup: A brooder is a warm, enclosed space where the chicks will live for the first few weeks. It can be a large plastic bin, a wooden box, or a designated area within a coop.
- Size: Ensure the brooder is large enough for the chicks to move around freely. Approximately 0.05 square meters (0.5 square feet) per chick to start, expanding as they grow.
- Ventilation: Adequate ventilation is crucial to prevent respiratory issues.
- Protection: Ensure the brooder is secure from predators, (including mice and rats) and other pets.
- Heat Source
- Heat Lamp: Use a heat lamp or a brooder heat plate to keep the chicks warm. The temperature should be around 35°C (95°F) for the first week, then decrease by 2.5°C (5°F) each week until they are fully feathered.
- Thermometer: Place a thermometer at chick level to monitor the temperature inside the brooder. Also watch their behaviour, if all gathered together under the heat lamp, it may be too cold. If they are all away from the heat lamp and panting, then it may be too hot.
- Bedding
- Material: Use absorbent materials like pine shavings, straw, or shredded paper. Avoid cedar shavings as they can be harmful.
- Depth: Start with about 2.5-5 cm (1-2 inches) of bedding, and you can change it regularly to maintain cleanliness. Or use the deep fill method, place fresh bedding down almost daily to cover the waste.
- Feeding
- Chick Starter Feed: Provide a high-quality chick starter feed that is specifically formulated for baby chicks. It should have 18-20% protein. Most of these are medicated because this is when a disease will affect chicks the most.
- Feeder: Use a feeder that prevents chicks from scratching out and wasting food. Make sure it’s always filled with fresh feed.
- Grit: Chicks need grit (tiny stones) to help digest food if they’re eating anything other than starter feed.
- Watering
- Waterer: Use a shallow chick waterer to prevent drowning. Change the water daily to keep it clean and fresh.
- Placement: Ensure the waterer is placed on a raised platform or at the same level as the chick’s back to prevent bedding from being kicked into it.
- Health Care
- Observation: Watch for signs of illness, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, or abnormal droppings.
- Pasty Butt: This is a condition where droppings stick to a chick’s vent, potentially blocking it. Check daily and clean as needed with warm water.
- Vaccinations: Vaccination is a personal choice and you need to do research yourself and consider what is best for your circumstances. However, consider vaccinating your chicks for common diseases like Marek’s disease, depending on your area and risk factors.
- Socialization & Behavior
- Handling: Gently handle the chicks daily to get them used to human interaction. This helps with future management and reduces stress.
- Pecking Order: Understand that chicks will naturally establish a pecking order. Intervene only if pecking becomes harmful.
- Lighting
- Day/Night Cycle: Ensure chicks have a normal day/night cycle with light during the day and darkness at night. Use a red bulb for heat if using a heat lamp at night to avoid disrupting their sleep.
- Transitioning to the Coop
- Timing: Around 6-8 weeks, once chicks are fully feathered, they can be transitioned to an outdoor coop.
- Integration: If you already have older chickens, introduce the chicks gradually to prevent bullying.
- Legal Considerations
- Local Ordinances: Check local laws and regulations regarding raising chickens. Some areas have restrictions on the number of chickens or the keeping of roosters.
- Zoning Laws: Ensure your property is zoned for keeping poultry.
- Supplies Checklist (yes these are affiliate links)
- Brooder Box - https://amzn.to/3M39yb6
- Heat Lamp/Brooder Plate - https://amzn.to/4dALnfC
- Thermometer - https://amzn.to/3Ao85JR
- Bedding Material - buy from your local produce or tractor supply store
- Starter Feed - buy from your local produce or tractor supply store
- Chick Feeder & Chick Waterer - https://amzn.to/3WY8VFY
- Grit (if needed) - buy from your local produce or tractor supply store
- Cleaning Supplies (for the brooder and waterer) - https://amzn.to/3X2fI1t
- First Aid Kit (with essentials like electrolytes, probiotics, and antiseptic)
- Antiseptic - https://amzn.to/4cosHyV, Electrolytes - https://amzn.to/4fEvCX1, Probiotics - https://amzn.to/4cn80n4
- Time Commitment
- Daily Care: Chicks need daily attention, including feeding, watering, checking temperatures, and cleaning the brooder.
- Long-Term Care: Consider the commitment of raising chickens for their entire lifespan, which can be 6-10 years or more.