Coccidiosis

Coccidiosis is a common intestinal tract infection that chicks get from an overload of coccidia (a single cell organism found around most animals). You can feed your chicks medicated chick feed for the first few weeks to give them a little leg up on the coccidia as they work to build strength. Some hatcheries vaccinate against it. If your chicks are vaccinated for coccidiosis, you should feed them normal chick feed, not medicated. No other vaccines play into this decision. Keep the brooder as clean as possible. I like to use hemp bedding from www.eatonpetandpasture.com (use my code purelychickens) because it is absorbent. I add a little sprinkle to the top of the bedding daily and once a week switch out the whole batch for new. The more chicks you have crowded into a brooder, the more likely they are to have an overload. Using a waterer like this can help prevent the spread as they can’t poop in it or kick dirty bedding into it. Signs of coccidiosis include lethargy, watery poop or blood in droppings, not eating/drinking, & puffed up chicks. The treatment for this is usually 2 tsp of corid added to a gallon of water and changed out daily for about 5 days. A repeat dose should be given in about 10 days for just 3 days or so. As always, consult a vet for exact dosage and treatment options but it can kill them quickly so please don’t wait.

Cats & Dogs

This one is self explanatory! We must be careful with out other pets who may not be used to having chicks around. A secure brooder with a lid will help keep curious pets out. I like to keep my brooder up off the floor on my mudroom countertop or in a room where the door can be shut. I don’t have my chicks in the house after two weeks but for those two weeks I am careful!

Food/Water

Here are a few things to keep in mind when it comes to feeding and watering chicks. Chicks need access to fresh food and water all day and all night. Open waterers can be dangerous for chicks who are brand new if they are deep enough for them to drown. If you use an open waterer, consider placing marbles in the bottom so they can’t get inside the water. Dehydration can kill chicks so be sure the water is always full. Chicks need chick crumble until they are 18 weeks old. If you feed them anything other than that as an occasional treat, they need to have chick grit. Keep in mind, chicken feed is one of the most well studied animal feeds. Making your own mix for chicks is a good way to stunt their growth or cause unnecessary problems.

Temperature

Chicks need to be warm, but not too warm! Many people have used heat lamps for years, including me. I started using heat lamps in 2006 when nothing else was available. Today we have safer heating options that aren’t known for catching fire or making the chicks overheat. We use a brooder plate. I do keep them in the house for 2 weeks if the garage temps are below 65 degrees Fahrenheit. The brooder plate acts more like mother hen and lets them get warm when they need it and come out when they don’t. If you are using a heat lamp, make sure the chicks have a place in the brooder to get out of the heat. If your chicks are too cold or are in a drafty area, they can have just as much trouble surviving. Watch for chicks to open mouth breathe and spread out (too hot) or huddle together and chirp really loudly (too cold).

Pasty Butt

I go over all the ins and outs about pasty butt in this video. Be sure to check your chicks rear ends daily for an of dried poop. Usually just a bit of picking will get it off but it if has gone on for a few days, the poop dries on pretty good so I run their butts under warm water and work at it until it comes off. Dry the chick well and put her back with her buddies. Check out the video for more info!