New chicks coming!

[Kimberjo2]

In 2 months we will be getting 20 brand new Red Rangers and we are getting ready! Thankful we have a seperate coop and run for them until large enough to integrate with the big girls. My concern is making sure these little chicks have the best healthiest start! Is there any additives we can add to their water or feed to help boost their immune systems? Should I add Baking soda (smidge) to their water if there is any sign of poopy bottoms, or are they going to be to young yet for that? Think giving them a drop or two of Oregano oil or organic cider vinegar in their water would be to drastic at their age?
We will be dusting their coop with Diatomaceous for mite control and setting mice traps under and around the pen. The coop is well fortified for defense against predators. Any input or advice is welcomed!

 

[rosemarythyme]

IMO best counter to pasty butt is to not overheat them - chicks should have access to warm and cool areas in the brooder.

For shipping stress the only thing I add to the water is some sort of electrolyte and/or vitamin type mixture, such as Poultry Nutri-Drench or powdered mixes like Sav-a-Chick, for the first few days, just to help babies get over being shipped and driven home.

Looks like you're going with "all natural" options but a lot of us don't use DE as it can be a respiratory irritant. IF you have mites, and don't want to use pesticide, consider elemental sulfur as an option.

 

[Kimberjo2]

IMO best counter to pasty butt is to not overheat them - chicks should have access to warm and cool areas in the brooder.

For shipping stress the only thing I add to the water is some sort of electrolyte and/or vitamin type mixture, such as Poultry Nutri-Drench or powdered mixes like Sav-a-Chick, for the first few days, just to help babies get over being shipped and driven home.

Looks like you're going with "all natural" options but a lot of us don't use DE as it can be a respiratory irritant. IF you have mites, and don't want to use pesticide, consider elemental sulfur as an option.

TY rosemarythyme! Vaguely remember hearing’bout elemental sulfur, but will look into it. When we use the DE it is always put down and than covered with a light layer of cedar shavings and an additional 2-3 inches of pine shavings to start off with after a good scrub down. Of course no cedar for chicks. Been doing that for years with no hazards we are aware of. BUT, I am always looking for healthier avenues for our flocks they mean a lot to us.And TY for the advice on electrolytes/vitamins. After reading up on them I will go with the Poultry Nutri Drench it sounds quick acting, safe and balanced!

 

[rosemarythyme]

I find Nutri-Drench to be a good overall pick me up for chickens of all ages, so it's a nice thing to have on hand.

Now I haven't tried elemental sulfur myself, but the article linked here: https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...-for-the-chickens-coop.1351484/#post-22277802 makes it sound like a promising option and I would've tried it if permethrin didn't work for me.

 

[FuzzyCritters]

I wouldn't recommend integrating broilers with your other chickens. That will just cause undue stress to both flocks, especially since broilers aren't around for very long.