How
you start and grow your baby chicks and other poultry is very
important. From Welp's, you will receive the finest chicks
and other poultry that modern breeding can produce. If you
feed and manage them along the lines we outline here, they
should perform extremely well for you. If you "cut corners"
at any point, the chances are good that it will cost you in
the long run.
Before
the chicks arrive, make sure the starting area has been
cleaned, disinfected and free of poultry for 7-10 days if
possible. Litter/Bedding
should cover the entire starting area to a depth of 2-3
inches. Peat moss, wood chips and rice hulls work the best.
Never cover litter/bedding with paper of any kind. The chicks
will slip on paper, and leg spraddling can become a problem.
This problem is irreversible so please do not use paper.
Heat...heat
lamps or brooders should have been on for 24 hours and the temperature
should be in the 90-95 degree range with the bulb of the thermometer
2-3 inches off the floor. Drop the temperature 5 degrees per week
to 70 degrees after which the birds should need little or no heat.
Figure 2-125 watt heat bulbs per 100 chicks.
Water...room
temperature water should be in the waterers when the chicks
arrive. To this first water, add one-fourth cup of sugar
per gallon. Let the chicks drink this water for one hour
before providing them with feed. Use fresh water for the
next 2 days. After this time you can provide them with 3
days of Biotin Stress Pak or Vitamins/Electrolytes, and
then give the fresh water again. Use Vitamins/Electrolytes
as recommended by the manufacturer.
*Terramycin…this
should be given when needed. Over use of antibiotics can decrease
it's effectiveness when actually needed. We would suggest
using this only when chicks are sick. Give dosage as suggested
on package.
Draft
Shield...should surround the area where the chicks will be started.
Corrugated cardboard, 12-18 inches high or bailed straw or hay work
well for this.
Predators...can
be devastating to all types of poultry. Cats, dogs, skunks, and mink
are some of the worst offenders. Make sure your building area is tight
against animals of all kinds.
Click
on the type of poultry you are are interested in finding care on from
the list below.
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