It is important to know what a house of contented chicks look like in the first instance. This will enable the grower to evaluate the chick environment and make any necessary alterations. Chicks should be eating, some drinking, some playing and resting, with an even spread on the floor. The chicks should be making a contented chirping, not silent and not high pitched.
These are the important points that need to be considered when caring for chicks:
Warm Litter
Even during warm weather it is essential to preheat the house 48 hours before placement. The litter temperature should be 30-32°c when the chicks are tipped. Cold litter chills the chick rapidly and quickly lowers their internal body temperature. A cold chick is less active and will usually lie quite flat to the floor. Being less active means less food and water intake resulting in slow growth and ultimately death if it has not been rapidly warmed up. Chicks can’t regulate their body temperature until about 10 days of age, so it is up to good management practice to regulate it for them.
Air quality
Adequate oxygen provision is essential for chicks to develop. This is a practice which is often overlooked. Minimum ventilation should ensure the oxygen level is never less than 19.6% or the carbon dioxide levels are never more than 3000ppm (0.3%) from placement until slaughter. The fan capacity should be able to remove all air in the house in eight minutes or less. The incoming cold air must be able to mix with the warm heated air at the top of the building before reaching the chicks and the litter.
Water quality
Never underestimate the importance of getting this element right and much can be learnt from knowing the water intake on a daily basis. If using a natural water source it is vital it is regularly tested; if problems are not addressed the bird will be compromised. Water sanitation and line management is paramount as build up of biofilms can harbour the likes of viruses and bacteria causing disease and slow growth, as well as preventing disinfectants from working. The best way to remove biofilms are hydrogen peroxide based products as they strip them out, leaving no place for the contamination to hide. In line sanitation ensures chicks are only taking in potable water. Generally chicks should consume 1ml/hour for the first 24 hours after placement.
Feed
Early feed intake and adequate feeding space are essential. Providing chicks with feed on paper/pans available on 50% of the brood area floor helps to encourage good early feed intake. Set up with 50-65g of feed per chick. The feed is best as a crumb for the first 250g intake and must be of good quality and texture.
Light
Chicks need to be able to see the feed and water in order to eat and drink. Chicks are also stimulated by seeing each other eating and drinking. The lux level during brooding should be around 25 lux at floor level and deviate by no more than 20% from brightest to darkest area. After the first week it is normal to reduce the intensity so that by 14 days the birds are in a reduced but comfortable level.
The Chicken Vet Hatching Record Sheet (PDF, 31KB) is available for download.