GENERAL CHICK CARE    

For Turkeys, Ducks, Goslings, Guinea-Pheasants, Cornish-Rock Care Click Here

Bird Disease Prevention Click Here

Before the chicks arrive, make sure the starting area has been cleaned, disinfected and free of poultry for 7-10 days if possible.How you start and grow your baby chicks and other poultry is very important. We only purchase from hatcheries with excellent history in chick, you will receive the finest chicks and other poultry that modern breeding can produce. If you feed and manage them along the lines we outline here, they should perform extremely well for you. If you “cut corners” at any point, the chances are good that it will cost you in the long run. Litter/Bedding should cover the entire starting area to a depth of 2-3 inches. We sell wood shaving that work good for this purpose. Never cover litter/bedding with paper of any kind. The chicks will slip on paper, and leg spraddling can become a problem. This problem is irreversible so please do not use paper. Heat…we offer a wide selection of heat lamps or brooders should have been on for 24 hours and the temperature should be in the 90-95 degree range with the bulb of the thermometer 2-3 inches off the floor before your birds arrive. Drop the temperature 5 degrees per week to 70 degrees after which the birds should need little or no heat. Figure 2-125 watt heat bulbs per 100 chicks. Water…room temperature water should be in the waterers when the chicks arrive. We offer a large selection of waterers to assure you have the right one for your needs. To this first water, add one-fourth cup of sugar per gallon. Let the chicks drink this water for one hour before providing them with feed. Upon arrival at Arcadia Farm & Home we will, in most cases, provide this to your chicks. Use fresh water for the next 2 days. After this time you can provide them with 3 days of Vitamins/Electrolytes, and then give the fresh water again. Use Vitamins/Electrolytes as recommended by the manufacturer.  *Terramycin…this should be given when needed. Over use of antibiotics can decrease its effectiveness when actually needed. We would suggest using this only when chicks are sick. Give dosage as suggested on package. Draft Shield…should surround the area where the chicks will be started. Corrugated cardboard, 12-18 inches high or bailed straw or hay work well for this. Predators…can be devastating to all types of poultry. Cats, dogs, skunks, and mink are some of the worst offenders. Make sure your building area is tight against animals of all kinds.  Have fun and enjoy your chicks! Call today to order 608-323-7744       

reference Welps Inc. IA copyright 2016