All about housing, feeding and disease management in chicks.
By Dr Ann M. Wachira
Choosing proper chick housing
Providing suitable housing for your chicks is a crucial step in ensuring their well-being. A well-designed chick shelter safeguards them from various threats, including adverse weather conditions such as rain, sun, cold winds, and chilly night-time temperatures. Moreover, it provides a comfortable environment conducive to their growth. The choice of chicken housing depends on factors like available materials, local weather patterns, and traditional practices.
When making your selection, it’s essential to consider cost, durability, and the intended purpose of the housing. A straightforward option for housing chicks is the basket system, sized according to the chicks’ age and number. Another option is the hay box brooder, which is easy to make and does not need additional heating. Both the chicken basket and hay box brooder are regarded as environmentally friendly choices. The location of the housing is equally as important, with preference given to dry, flat ground or the possibility of elevating the house to avoid moisture build-up. Additionally, the site should be secured against potential threats from predators and thieves.
Preparation for chick placement
Getting ready for the arrival of your chicks is a critical step in ensuring their well-being. Here’s a step-by-step guide for preparing for chick placement:
- Start by cleaning and disinfecting all equipment at least two days before use.
- Organize all necessary equipment and arrange the chick litter in advance to minimize stress for both you and the chicks.
- Set up the brooder ring prior to disinfection. Fill the ring with suitable litter material such as wood shavings (not sawdust) or straw, up to 4-6 inches thick from the floor. The heat source should be placed at the centre of the brooder ring. Expand the brooder ring regularly to create space for the growing chicks.
- Fix curtains on the open sections of the house to insulate from cold winds.
- Two days before the chicks’ arrival, thoroughly disinfect the entire area. This proactive measure helps create a clean and sanitary environment, reducing the risk of disease transmission.
- At the entrance to the chick area, provide a foot bath containing lime powder or another suitable disinfectant. This will prevent potential contaminants from entering the chick’s living space.
Chick Brooding
Newly hatched chicks lack the ability to effectively regulate their body temperature and require either natural or artificial brooding to provide warmth. How you handle day-old chicks and manage their brooding program has a direct impact on the overall productivity of your chicken.
Here are the key prerequisites for artificial brooding:
- Brooding houses should be isolated from other houses containing older birds.
An “all-in, all-out” program should be followed. Never mix birds of different ages.
- All facilities must thoroughly be cleaned and disinfected before the arrival of chicks.
- The brooder ring and heaters must be checked to ensure that they are working properly.
- On arrival, chicks should be offered fresh feed and water containing an antistress or glucose.
Brooding Temperature
Maintain a brooding temperature of 32°C during the first week. Measure this temperature along the perimeter of the brooder guard. Regularly monitor the chicks and be prepared to make temperature adjustments, especially during cooler periods of the night. If thermometers are not readily available, observe the behaviour of the chicks as a practical alternative.
Ensure that your chicks have sufficient floor space, feeding areas, and drinking stations. Ample space allows movement and access to feed and water without competition.
Chick Induction Guidelines:
- Preheat the brooder one hour before the chicks’ arrival to achieve a target temperature of 32°C within the brooding area.
- Count the number of chicks upon their arrival.
- Allow the chicks to drink water before introducing feed. You can use a designated chick feeding tray or a clean egg tray.
- During the first three days, closely monitor the chicks every 2-3 hours to confirm that they have consumed both feed and water.
Feed Management
Allocate 1 chick feeding tray measuring 30 x 45 cm per 100 chicks. Place these trays strategically between the drinkers, adjacent to the heat source. This setup encourages the chicks to feed conveniently.
During the initial 7 – 10 days after placement, continue using open feeders. These offer easy access and acclimatize the chicks to the feeding process. Introduce round closed feeders for more controlled access to feed gradually.
For the first 8 weeks of the chicks’ lives, opt for a high-quality chick starter or chick mash feed. This feed should be sourced from a reputable feed company to ensure its quality and safety. Look for a feed with a crude protein content of 18-20g/kg, and ME 2750 which is crucial for the chicks’ early growth and development.
Light Management
During the initial 24-48 hours after placement, provide continuous lighting for the chicks. This facilitates the chicks’ orientation and encourages them to locate their feed and water sources.
Chick Vaccination schedule
Chicks are vulnerable to a range of diseases, and administering vaccinations at the right time can greatly diminish the likelihood of losses.
Here is a vaccination guideline outlining the key vaccines, timing, and mode:
| Age | Vaccine | Mode of administration |
| Done at Hatchery | MareksNewcastle Disease+Infectious Bronchitis | Mareks; aerosol spray for Newcastle Disease+Infectious Bronchitis |
| 14 days | Gumboro or Infectious bursal disease | Oral via drinking water |
| 21 days | Newcastle Disease | Drinking water, eye drops |
| 25 Days | Gumboro or Infectious bursal disease | Oral via drinking water |
| 21 days (in hotspot areas) Other at 42 days | Fowl pox | Wing stabs along wing web |
| Day 56 | Fowl typhoid | Breast/thigh injection |
| Day 63 | Newcastle Disease | Drinking water, eye drops |
- Do not vaccinate chicken that are already sick.
- Always seek guidance from your local animal health service provider to gain a better understanding of your local vaccination program.
- Always adhere to your suppliers vaccination schedule