Baby chicks and existing flock? Infection control….

[Browniethechicken]

Do I need to be careful with my baby chicks in regards to infection and diseases considering I have an existing flock? I will have my baby chicks in the house while I take care of them until they’re fully feathered but I also need to care for my existing flock in the run and coup outside. Do I need to be careful tracking in anything from the house? What are your recommendations for the situation?

 

[igorsMistress]

Do I need to be careful with my baby chicks in regards to infection and diseases considering I have an existing flock? I will have my baby chicks in the house while I take care of them until they’re fully feathered but I also need to care for my existing flock in the run and coup outside. Do I need to be careful tracking in anything from the house? What are your recommendations for the situation?

No, it’s actually better for you to bring in some dirt for a dust bath from the coop or run so that your chicks are exposed to the existing flock. This will help them build natural immunity to coccidiosis and whatever else.

In my experience it’s easier to integrate younger chicks at around four weeks to your adult birds. They’re fast enough to run away and avoid the bigs but they’ll need a place to escape to that the bigs can’t go. The bigs aren’t usually as aggressive with babies as they aren’t as much of risk to resources.

 

[Ridgerunner]

My philosophy to raising healthy chicks is to strengthen their immune system from the start. On day 2 or 3 in the brooder I feed them a small amount of dirt from the run where the older chickens are. Then every three days after that I feed them another small amount of dirt from the run. To me this does three things. It gets grit into their system, the gizzard specifically. They get any probiotics the adults have. And it gets them working on flock immunities that they will need when they hit the ground.

I feel I can observe them much better in the brooder than when they are running around outside. I'm more likely to spot if something is wrong. I practically never see anything wrong, by the way. I do not try to raise my chicks in a sterile environment then toss them out into the cold cruel world with a weak immune system. I want them prepared.

 

[Browniethechicken]

My philosophy to raising healthy chicks is to strengthen their immune system from the start. On day 2 or 3 in the brooder I feed them a small amount of dirt from the run where the older chickens are. Then every three days after that I feed them another small amount of dirt from the run. To me this does three things. It gets grit into their system, the gizzard specifically. They get any probiotics the adults have. And it gets them working on flock immunities that they will need when they hit the ground.

I feel I can observe them much better in the brooder than when they are running around outside. I'm more likely to spot if something is wrong. I practically never see anything wrong, by the way. I do not try to raise my chicks in a sterile environment then toss them out into the cold cruel world with a weak immune system. I want them prepared.

This is excellent advice and info - will integrate

 

[Browniethechicken]

No, it’s actually better for you to bring in some dirt for a dust bath from the coop or run so that your chicks are exposed to the existing flock. This will help them build natural immunity to coccidiosis and whatever else.

In my experience it’s easier to integrate younger chicks at around four weeks to your adult birds. They’re fast enough to run away and avoid the bigs but they’ll need a place to escape to that the bigs can’t go. The bigs aren’t usually as aggressive with babies as they aren’t as much of risk to resources.

Much appreciated advice!!! I will apply!! Thanks