Counting Down to Warmer Temperatures and Spring Hatching

Life on our Farm is getting busy, we have now gained close to forty minutes of daylight and some of the breeds on our farm have begun to leave a periodic egg in the nest boxes. It has now been a couple of weeks since we began giving supplements with their feed and in most cases we have increased their feed to a higher percentage protein, vitamins, and minerals in the preparation of breeding season and fertile eggs that produce chicks with vigor.
Since the days have often been warmer than usual and the sunshine warms the hen houses, we are at the pinnacle of condensation forming in the houses and causing damp bedding. It’s something we pay close attention to despite good ventilation since damp bedding will almost surely cause a sniffle or worse.

Planning ahead

This is the time of year we begin cleaning and sanitizing brooders and preparing them for newly hatched chicks. It’s important to have what you need before you need it, when it comes to brooding chicks and that includes some basic knowledge along with something to keep them in that is sanitary and not affected by moisture. A plastic tote works great with a 60w bulb as long as they are inside.

The day chicks hatch, a good rule of thumb is to keep them at 90 degrees, each week following drop the temperature by 5 degrees, of course, let the chicks help you determine good temps with their actions. If they are under the light and huddled together it’s probably too cold, the opposite is also true if they are spread out trying to get as far away from the bulb, it’s too hot.

Chicks that are too hot/cold may experience “Pastey Bottom.” Pastey bottom is feces clumped around and over the vent and it can kill chicks overnight and requires immediate attention. A damp warm cloth to clean off the pastey bottom along with some oatmeal ground up in a food processor and sprinkled over their food will help clear up the condition.

I often remind folks that chicks is a very generic term for babies that require plenty of attention. They depend on whoever is raising them to supply warmth, food, water and the gentleness a baby anything deserves.
Some of the essentials that I believe should be on hand when preparing to get you new chicks is; water soluble vitamins and electrolytes, Probiotics, chick starter (medicated or non-medicated- we use Blue Seal medicated chick starter), plain Oatmeal and a water soluble antibiotic. The list goes on but these are some staples we make sure are on the farm prior to the first hatch.

Chicks on Display

Keep in mind if you have ever been to a feed store or other place that sells chicks and you handled one, you are likely not the only one to do so, others may have touched them and exposed them to germs or illness from their farm. When chicks come home it’s a good idea to keep them in a place that does not come in contact with your existing flock. A little care and thinking ahead can go a long way in the homegrown poultry world.

As always, you can receive more information, and tricks that poultry owners may use, on Facebook at the Maine Poultry Connection. You are also welcome to message me personally with any questions, and I will do my best to help.

Scott DeMoranville

About Scott DeMoranville

Along with his wife Nickie, son Nolan and daughter Maddigan, Scott runs are 4Dʼs Farm, located in Bradford, Maine. Both Nickie and Scott are independent NPIP (National Poultry Improvement Program) testers for the state of Maine. Scott runs the Maine Poultry Connection of Facebook.