Effective Tips In Taking Care Of Baby Chickens

By Author: Emily Crystel
Total Articles: 22
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Caring for baby chicks should not be complicated. But the first eight weeks are crucial for the baby chicks, during this time you might suffer some losses but if you follow these tips, you can overcome it.

The first thing you should know about is how to feed the baby chickens. Your local livestock or pet store should be able to provide you with starter or grower feed, the first food that you should give the baby chickens. Because they are growing, baby chickens eat throughout the day and well into the night so make sure that their feeder is always full. Provide them with enough nutrients to ensure proper development and growth.

It is best recommended if you use a good baby chick feeder for your small chickens. Using dish or bowl to feed your chicks is not advisable as such feeding equipment can turn out messy and cause unnecessary commotion among the chicks. The worst scenario might also result from using dish or bowl for feeding, like chicks tipping over and killing another baby chicken underneath. Throwing away some dollars for a good feeder is but a good investment in the long run.

Water is essential ...
... in caring for baby chickens. Some may die because of lack of water so be sure that they drink the water you provided. Put sugar into their drinking water for the first 2 days to give them extra energy.

Temperature is important in the baby chicks' survival so keep a thermometer to monitor the temperature inside the pen. It is necessary to keep them warm especially during the first week. Placing a 250-watt bulb inside the pen is enough to keep them warm but do not place it too close to the baby chicks.

Investing in an effective and good absorbent is also advised if you want your chicks to avoid the so-called splayed legs deformity. Pooping is a regular activity of baby chickens so it is advised if you use a good absorbent, such as a thick inch pine shavings spread for lining their units. Slippery surface is really harmful for your baby chicks as they can contract the splayed legs deformity. Using newspapers, as what other people are doing, is not advised as this is not helpful and effective. So if you really want your chicken to avoid such deformity, invest in a good absorbent now.

Having the necessary equipment and doing extra research will make caring for baby chickens easier.

To buy a ready made chicken coop, visit ChickenCoopDirect.com.au to find chicken coops for sale in Australia at a reasonable price.