Feeding baby chicks to keep them healthy
Posted by Diane Conklin
You have decided to bring home baby chicks. You want to be sure you are feeding them properly so they remain healthy. There are many types of feed but also some important steps to ensure their meals are offered the best way possible.
The feed must be clean, fresh and dry. Improperly stored feeds can develop molds and mycotoxins, which result in poor health and growth. The feed should always be measured by weight per package specifications, not by volume. Weigh the feed in the container that will be used.
As soon as your chicks arrive, scatter some feed on a newspaper so they can find it easily. Keep the height of the feeder even with the back of the birds to reduce feed waste and contamination. Allow 1" of feeder space per bird for the first 2 weeks, increase to 2" for weeks 3-6, and 3" after 6 weeks.
The other important piece of feeding your baby chicks to keep them healthy is of course water. Cool, fresh water needs to be available at all times. Allow a 1 gallon waterer fount for each 25 chicks. Keep the waterers clean to prevent spread of bacterial infections.
Use a water-soluble antibiotic like 6.4oz Duramycin from day one after you bring your chicks home. You may want to use a water-soluble vitamin product if health or growth problems are apparent. Vitamins and electrolytes are also valuable as a preventative measure during periods of stress like molting and weather changes.
Country Lane 18% Chick Starter/Grower Crumbles is the perfect beginning to a healthy flock.