Welcome to our web site. We hope we can teach you a thing or two about brooding and succsyfully raise your brood of chicks. Please email me at vegafarm@gmail.com with any qustions.
1. Shelter: Setting up a baby chick house also known as a brooder. Baby chicks need to be protected from drafts but still have adequate ventilation. The brooder can be a box, a storage bin. It must have a lide. That way there will be no way of chicks escaping. The box should have with holes for ventilation, a single-faced corrugated cardboard roll. The holes can't be bigger than the bird or the bird will escape. The brooder should be up to 12" high or bigger.
2. Heating: A 250 watt infrared light bulb is good enough for every 50 chicks. The temperature should be up to 95-100 for the first week after that reduce by 5 degrees each week. until room temperature.
3. Water: For the first few days add 4 tbs. per gallon of water. 1 tbs. per quart of water. Clean and refill water daily to keep clean. If you have day old birds dip there beak into the water this helps the bird to know how to drink. For baby bantams use rock and cover the bowl with them to help them not to drown.
4. Litter: I always feel the floor with feed for the first 3 days of life. This makes it easier for the chicks to find food. Never use news paper, because it can cause Spraddle Leg. Some times I use paper towel. Another option is the brooder floor should be covered in a small holed hardware cloth. The cloth helps the new chick develop its walk, and also helps prevent splayed leg and curled toes.
5. Feed: A higher protein feed is needed, 28 to 30 protein. Contact your nerest feed store.
6. Clean Up: Whenever the chicks have to be moved for cleaning there should be another brooder completely set up at the correct temperature and lighting for the transfer. If you do not clean up the brooder regularly it may cause ammonia.
Please make sure your birds have enough room or they will have a pecking disorder please vist our F.A.Q. to learn more.
The above diractions remains the same exept for the following. Temperature set at 90 degrees. Lighting for 10-12 hours; Adjust feed and water for growth.
The above directions remain the same except for the following: Temperature set at 80-85; Lighting for 8-10 hours; Adjust feed and water for growth.
When temperatures average above 65, the chicks having adjusted to the coop can now remain outdoors. If temperatures average above 65, and there are adult chickens, the chicks can slowly be integrated into the main coop area. The chicks should only be let into the main coop area when someone can be present to watch. If their is a pecking order, immediately remove the chicks with any medical condition and seprate them alone until they look better. When the 8 hour mark is reached, it can be assumed that full integration can be accomplished. If there is an adult chicken that continually attacks the chicks, it may be advised to cull the adult, or to make a permanent separate coop area for the chicks. Know you can giveadult feed to your birds.
The above directions remain the same except for the following: Temperature set at 70-80; Adjust feed and water for growth. It is now the time to prepare the coop area for the chicks arrival. A smaller area should be prepared separate from the main coop area for the chicks protection. The baby chick coop area should provide protection for the small chicks from the adults and from any predators. The chick coop should also provide protection from heavy winds and rain, and it must have a heat and light source if temperatures are not above 65 daily.
Vist our F.A.Q. for any other concerns, Quistions. Please email me at vegafarm@gmail.com for any other qutions. http://www.vegafarm.webs.com/