Preparation is key to help new chicks thrive

CHILTON - Spring brings excitement – from warmer weather to plants peeking through the ground, and of course, new chicks!

Hatching new chicks is an exciting adventure. Preparing ahead of time can help your chicks get off to a growing start.

“Preparation, along with a few simple supplies and pieces of equipment, will help your new chicks get off on the right foot,” says Julian (Skip) Olson, DVM, technical services manager for Milk Products.

Here’s a checklist to help you prepare for your new chicks:

• Brooder housing: With adequate insulation and ventilation
• Heat lamp: Use a 75-watt bulb and clamp for easy positioning
• Thermometer: Measure temperature at chick level, 2 inches off the floor
• Dry pine shavings: Provide at least 2 inches of floor insulation
• Jar waterers: 1-gallon capacity per 10 chicks
• Chick feeders: 3-4 linear inches per chick
• Vitamin & electrolyte supplement: Keep chicks hydrated
• Probiotic supplement: Help build healthy digestive function

Get chicks off to a strong start

New chicks should start their life in a brooder, a contained area providing a warm and safe environment for chicks. The brooder should have adequate temperature control, ventilation and light.

“Newly hatched chicks will need just half a square foot of space each,” said Olson. “But, chicks grow quickly. By six weeks, they will each need 1-2 square feet of free space.”

Make sure to bring the brooder to temperature before your chicks arrive.

“The ideal temperature for day-old chicks is 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit, measured at the chicks’ height,” he said. “Maintaining floor temperature is equally important. Keep a 2-inch cover of dry pine shavings to provide enough insulation. Do not use sawdust, as young chicks may mistake it for food.”

Adequate ventilation is also important as it helps prevent the buildup of moisture, animal odors and gasses, which could lead to respiratory illnesses. Windows, fans and inlets around the ceiling perimeter allow fresh, cold air from the outside to mix with warm air before coming into contact with chicks.

If you already have a flock, it’s important to keep your young chicks in a separate space from older birds to help prevent the spread of disease.

“When caring for flocks of multiple ages, always start your feeding or animal care routines with the youngest chicks first, then move to older birds. This will help prevent the spread of pathogens from mature birds into the brooder housing,” says Olson.

Watch for signs of stress

Young chicks can easily experience stress in their new environment. It is important to avoid stress as much as possible to keep your chicks growing and healthy.

In times of stress, keeping your chicks hydrated is even more critical. A vitamin and electrolyte supplement can be a great way to ensure your chicks stay hydrated. Offer electrolytes in addition to plain water.

The addition of a probiotic supplement in the first days or during times of stress can also be beneficial. Probiotics can help build a diverse population of beneficial bacteria in the digestive system and prevent diarrhea. They can be given in conjunction with your vitamin and electrolyte supplement in the same waterer.

As your chicks grow, it is important to watch for common chick concerns such as pasty butts, coccidiosis, picking and salmonella. For more information about how to care for these concerns, visit savachick.com.

Provide proper nutrition

“Newly hatched chicks can survive for two to three days on stored energy reserves,” Olson said. “When your chicks arrive, they will likely be quite thirsty; dip their beaks into the waterer to help them understand where and how to get water.”

Feed should be offered free-choice from day one.

“A complete chick starter feed will provide the best-balanced nutrition for your new chicks,” says Olson.

Provide feed in feeders with 1-2 inches of linear space per bird in the first two weeks and 3-4 inches per bird at six weeks of age.

“A little planning goes a long way. With careful preparation, your new chicks will be off to a thriving start on their journey to their first farm fresh egg,” says Olson.

For more information about raising chicks, visit savachick.com.