Hi - I had some chicks shipped to me for the first time late last year. They arrived in bad shape and I only saved about a third of the chicks. I was reading some different threads to determine what I might do to get better results when ordering chicks this year (I like to get them so they'll be close to laying eggs by spring).
I would like some feedback what to start at receipt of chicks or what to start maybe 3 days later or a week later, etc. Also I feel like some tips are overlapping & one or the other should be used but not both.
1. DO NOT use cold liquids - it needs to be room temp or better yet, near the temp of the brooder.
2. Ensure chicks cannot get soaked or drowned in waterers - gravel or marbles in troughs
3. Provide electrolytes for first couple of days
3a. For the gels that hatcheries provide, I've seen postings stating the gel instructions are not dilute enough. The posts state the gel actually killed the chicks with the dilution in the directions. Thoughts?
3b. Is sav a chick the best to start with? would Gatorade work? Some just use sugar water
3c. I see apple cider vinegar suggestions - not sure if this is in addition to electrolyte or in place of.
4. Cocci prevention
4a. Is medicated starter best?
4b. Corid is recommended in many postings - can this be used with medicated starter? should I use as prevention or wait until I see symptoms?
5. Wet feed
5a. I see suggestions of making a mash that is easier on chicks. I feel like this causes more issues than what it's worth - I feel like some chicks will just face plant in the wet feed. I can see adding this in after they are past going to sleep at any moment, but I feel like fermenting the feed might bet better at this point too
6. Other supplements I see suggested - I can't tell if this replaces items above or additional supplements
6a. Not clear what this is for - Acidified Copper Sulfate. 1oz to 5 gallons of water for 3 days
Or 1/4 teaspoon copper sulfate per gallon + one of following (citric acid, lemon juice, vinegar)
6b. 1 tablespoon of baking soda per gallon of water - prevents acidosis in the lungs.
I would like some feedback what to start at receipt of chicks or what to start maybe 3 days later or a week later, etc. Also I feel like some tips are overlapping & one or the other should be used but not both.
1. DO NOT use cold liquids - it needs to be room temp or better yet, near the temp of the brooder.
2. Ensure chicks cannot get soaked or drowned in waterers - gravel or marbles in troughs
3. Provide electrolytes for first couple of days
3a. For the gels that hatcheries provide, I've seen postings stating the gel instructions are not dilute enough. The posts state the gel actually killed the chicks with the dilution in the directions. Thoughts?
3b. Is sav a chick the best to start with? would Gatorade work? Some just use sugar water
3c. I see apple cider vinegar suggestions - not sure if this is in addition to electrolyte or in place of.
4. Cocci prevention
4a. Is medicated starter best?
4b. Corid is recommended in many postings - can this be used with medicated starter? should I use as prevention or wait until I see symptoms?
5. Wet feed
5a. I see suggestions of making a mash that is easier on chicks. I feel like this causes more issues than what it's worth - I feel like some chicks will just face plant in the wet feed. I can see adding this in after they are past going to sleep at any moment, but I feel like fermenting the feed might bet better at this point too
6. Other supplements I see suggested - I can't tell if this replaces items above or additional supplements
6a. Not clear what this is for - Acidified Copper Sulfate. 1oz to 5 gallons of water for 3 days
Or 1/4 teaspoon copper sulfate per gallon + one of following (citric acid, lemon juice, vinegar)
6b. 1 tablespoon of baking soda per gallon of water - prevents acidosis in the lungs.