MOST MISTAKES FARMERS MAKE ON ARRIVAL OF DAY OLD CHICKS.
A lot of farmers have lost a number of birds due to mistakes done on arrival.
1. Delay to heat up the brooder before arrival of birds .
The brooder should be heated up 2-3hrs before chicks are introduced. This enables the room to have favorable temperatures that are required by the birds.
2. Giving feed as soon as chicks are introduced to the brooder.
It’s important to note that birds should be given water containing glucose and vitamin for at least 2hrs before giving them feed. This will enable them have some moisture in their GIT that facilitates digestion and absorption of nutrients.
3. Using bigger feeders
It’s noted that birds can’t access feed when served in this big feeders in their 1st week. We therefore encourage use of trays for the first week and later on change to baby feeders and progress as they grow.
4. Use of tarpaulin in place of brooder paper.
This pre-disposes your birds to coccidiosis at an early age. Tarpaulin holds fowl droppings without absorption, predisposing to coccidiosis.
5.Use of feed that has big particles.
Starter feeds should always have very tiny particles close to mash. This enables faster digestibility and birds can easily pick them unlike when they are big.
6. Failure to cover husks with brooder paper.
Day old chicks can’t differentiate between litter and feed. When husks are not covered in the first 3 days, birds peck at them and causes blockage of the esophagus. This fills the crop thus leaving no space for feed. This can be evidenced by constipation and pm results.
7.Too much heat in the brooder
which causes dehydration and constipation.
8 .Inadequate spacing
