While caring for a flock of chickens is fairly uncomplicated because they really are so self reliant, chick care is just the opposite. Keep them at the incorrect temperature and they'll die. Putting chicks inside a brooder that isn't predator proof and you run the risk that allof your chicks may be killed. The list of potential problems is very long.. All your chicks have to have a lot of attention, especially during the first four weeks of life.
As soon as you receive the batch of baby chicks that you ordered, there are three vital chick care tips that you must be aware of or baby chicks may not make it..
The three things you should to be concerned about are pasting up, access to water and umbilical cords.
- Pasting Up
The first chick care tip is that when you pick up your baby chicks from the post office or wherever they were delivered, take them directly home. The most basic chick care tip is to remove the chicks from the box individually and check their rear ends for a condition called "pasting up". It is usually very easy to identify as you will detect blackish waste that is stuck to their butts. The dried up poop covers up their vents and prevents them from being able to poop any more which can be fatal.
This is a very dangerous condition and has to be handled right away. I typically use a wet, warm washcloth and drench this area untilit is pliable enough to take off. In a few of the really terrible cases, I've had to immerse the chicks' rear end in water just to get it loose enough to remove. It is possible to use a tooth pick or anything which is disposable to also help get the gunk to come off. I dry the chick off using my hair dryer set on low heat to esnure that I do not injure the baby and then I place it inside the brooder. Carefully monitor the entire flock of chicks as this predicament can return.
- Provide water immediately
The second important chick care tip is that your new babies will need to have water as soon as you have checked them them and cleaned up any pasting up issues that occurred in transit. I don't take any chances that my chicks are unable to figure out what to do with the water.
As I place each chick inside the brooder for the first time, I gently dip their beaks into the water bowl. They always get the concept very quickly and start drinking. Keep a careful eye on them and make sure that the entire flock of chicks has the hang of both eating and drinking. Do not ever try and force them to swallow using a syringe as you will drown them.
- Umbilical Cord
The third essential chick care tip is to not be surprised if you see that a number of your chicks still have their umbilical cords attached. You may see what seems to be a black thread which is attached at their butts. It is not unusual and will resolve itself with no interference from you. Never for any reason pull it off or cut it off yourself. You can badly injure your chick by doing this.
Providing proper chick care is vital to raising healthy chickens that will lay eggs for you or provide meat.