Rearing Chicks Successfully

Abstract

<p>Rearing chicks has its serious problems, but the young brood may be brought successfully through the first six or eight weeks if these essentials are followed: <ol> <li>Give chicks a good start by selecting strong, vigorous, well-matured breeding stock that is free from disease and has been properly housed and fed, and by properly Incubating the eggs from the stock.</li> <li>Make sure that hens used for brooding are free from lice and mites before the chicks are placed with them.</li> <li>If an artificial brooder is used, make sure That it will provide ample heat without danger of fire, That It gives the chicks a chance to get away from the heat when they want to, That it has a capacity large enough, That It Is economical In Its cost and in the fuel it uses.</li> <li>Remove dead chicks promptly from the brooder and bury them deeply or burn them.</li> <li>Mark all weak chicks so that they will never be used as breeders.</li> <li>Clean the brooder and disinfect it each time before it Is used and oftener If disease breaks out in flock.</li> <li>Do not feed chicks until they are from 48 to 60 hours old, and then only limited amounts of easily digested food for the first week.</li> <li>Use only clean and wholesome food and feed it only in clean dishes and litter.</li> <li>Provide a variety of feeds. They should contain enough of protein and ash. Ground bone furnishes ample ash and some protein; skimmed milk and buttermilk furnish abundant protein.</li> </ol></p>