Lavender Orpingtons Chicks

The first week of raising chicks seems to be the most critical week for them. Keep them dry, warm, and do not over crowd them. Check on them often. I do not feed medicated chick feed to my chicks and did not need to add any antibiotics, electrolytes, or probiotics to their water. Also, I choose to use regular chick feed until they were 18 weeks old and then switched them to Layer Crumbles (or use pellets). Pellets seem to be less waste with food than crumbles. I highly recommend the following to help with having no loss during the first week. Chick Feeder Chick Starter/Grower Crumbles - Non medicated Heat Plate *Safer than a heat lamp.* HDX-27-Gal-Tough-Storage-Tote-in-Black $10.98* or Command Black Tote at Lowe's $10.98 Bedding - Pine Shavings or Puppy Pads *I use puppy training pads in bottom of the brooder. They are easy to clean up.* If you choose shavings do not use cedar. Also if you want to use pine pellets those work to and will turn to sawdust once wet which is easier to dispose of than shavings. Brooder Box/Setup(Tote box or something like that) *Have something that is covered as chicks will fly out in a matter of a couple days.* Shopping List: Brooder Supplies: waterer, feeder, source of heat (heat plate or heat lamp) pine shavings, electrolytes and vitamins, paper towels, thermometer, draft-free enclosure, chicken coop, and chick starter feed. Suggested Reading • Storey’s Guide to Raising Poultry • The Chicken Health Handbook • The Chicken Encyclopedia Brooder Requirements: Each baby needs 0.5 square foot of floor space. The brooder must be sterile and draft-free. The brooder needs to be big enough so that the chicks can get away from the heat source. Temperature: A thermometer is a baby chick’s best friend. Start your chicks off at 99 degrees for the first three hours. Then 95 degrees the first week. Reduce by 5 degrees each week until they are fully feathered out. This is typically at 6 weeks and 70 degrees. Water: Birds need to have access to drinking water at all times. Give a 1 gallon chick waterer for each 50 chicks. Initially, water levels should be minimal to avoid drowning. Clean marbles in the dish will help. Warm water for the first few hours may be beneficial. On the third day, you may include vitamin or electrolyte powder in the water. Feed: For chicks, feed poultry starter crumbles for the first 8 weeks of age. From 9 to 16 weeks, use a grower ration. At 17 weeks, switch to layer crumbles or pellets. Litter: The best option for bedding material is 2 inches of large size kiln dried pine shavings. Use paper towels above the shavings for the first few days. Do not use sawdust or cedar shavings. Tips for success with Chicks Thursday, February 27, 2020 6:39 PM Business Page 1 paper towels above the shavings for the first few days. Do not use sawdust or cedar shavings. Bedding must be changed regularly and kept clean and dry. Pasty Butts: Sometimes stress can cause a condition called pasty butt. This is an accumulation of loose stool around the vent, which can harden and lead to blockage. The inability for the chick to poop can cause toxicity within the chick, which can lead to death. Use warm, damp paper towel to remove the stuck and dried poop. Take special care to avoid getting the chick too wet during this process, and return to the heat as soon as possible. Picking: Sometimes chicks will peck the head, feet, or bodies of their brooder mates. This can be a sign of overcrowding, boredom, or overheating. Chicks can peck each other to death if the problem is not addressed promptly. A red light or non-light heat source can alleviate the problem. Transitioning young birds into existing flock: Once your chicks are 3-4 months, it is time to introduce them to your existing flock. Divide off your run for a few days so they may get accustomed to each other through a fence. There will be some pecking as a new “pecking order” is established. This is normal and should cease in a couple of days. Mix the flock at night to make the transition easier. Coop and Run Considerations: For standard size chickens, we recommend 2.5-4 square feet per bird inside the coop. The run should provide 10 square feet of space per bird. If they are not allowed a run, then the coop should be 12 square feet per bird. Bantams require half the space. Roosts should be spaced at least 12” apart, 18” off the ground, 18” away from the wall. 8” of roost space for bantams, 10” for standards. Provide 1 square foot of ventilation per 10 square feet of floor space. 1 nest box per 5 hens. Safe Handling of Poultry: After handling poultry, wash your hands with soap and warm water. Do not let young children, elderly persons, or people with weak immune systems handle or touch live poultry. Do not snuggle or kiss your birds. You can get Salmonella from touching live fowl. Your birds can carry Salmonella and still appear healthy and clean. Regularly clean your poultry equipment.