Basic Brooding Tips

BEFORE CHICKS ARRIVE

• Put down a 1 inch layer of pine shavings

• Put brooder guard in place

• Fill jugs with water, mix in molasses (1 teaspoon per gallon)

• Fill feeders with starter crumbles / pellets

• Turn on heat source (If using heat lamps, use red bulbs)

  Regulate heat to 95 degrees at chick height at the edge of the heat source (98 degrees for turkeys)

  Start heat at least 24 hours prior to chicks arrival .........................................................................

• Be sure brooding area is draft free

• Be sure brooding area is rodent free

AFTER THE CHICKS ARRIVE

• Dip the chicks' beaks in water

• Check temperature 3 or 4 times daily

  after week one, lower the temperature 5 degrees per week until you reach the outside temperature

• Fill jugs with fresh water daily

  Molasses water can be used as long as necessary.........................................................................

  Flush waters daily ........................................................................................................................

  Increase water area as the birds demand more water and space ....................................................

• Add fresh feed daily, by the end of week one, move to a tube feeder. Offer free choice starter grit after the first week

• When the heat source is removed, be sure to offer a light source for 24 hour lighting to stimulate growth and increase rate of gain.

• Increase brooder area as the chicks grow and fill the existing space, usually begging at about 10 days, you will need to expand the brooding area

• Always keep your bedding dry

• Rule of Thumb: add 1 inch of shavings for each week of age in market birds, allow the litter to build up, only remove hard or wet bedding