Day-Old Chick Care: 7 Steps for Raising Layer Chicks

Day-old chicks (DOC) of laying hens need special care and attention. Without proper care, the chicks may not survive. To survive and stay strong, the chicks must also be of good quality to begin with. Farmers should not buy DOC without a quality grade, because that raises the mortality rate. Good stock can become even better with proper husbandry on the farm. The reverse is also true: high-quality chicks lose quality when they are not raised properly.

How to Care for Day-Old Layer Chicks Properly

Caring for day-old layer chicks is one of the keys to a successful poultry farm. A farm will not succeed or run as hoped if the chicks are not cared for correctly. Here are the steps every farmer must follow when caring for day-old layer chicks:

An Ideal Coop

The first thing a farmer must do is provide an ideal coop. The coop is one of the requirements for raising day-old layer chicks successfully. Without one, the chicks cannot survive. An ideal coop for DOC is one that does not let much wind in. Too much wind makes the chicks catch diseases easily.

Heat and Light

DOC still need light and a heat source because their bodies cannot yet regulate temperature. Their feathers are also still thin, so they cannot tolerate cold air. That is why heating is needed. Light is needed too, so the chicks can see better at night. A coop with little light lets rats and cats prey on the chicks.

Read also: 3 Essential Tips for Beginners Raising Broiler Chickens

Vitamins

Giving vitamins is a must when caring for day-old layer chicks. Layer chicks depend heavily on humans, so many will die if the farmer is not diligent and skilled. To keep losses down, farmers should give vitamins, which strengthen the chicks' immune system. Chicks given vitamins will be healthier than those given none at all.

Feed

The next step in caring for day-old layer chicks is the feed ration. A high-nutrient ration is needed for the chicks to grow and develop. To keep the chicks healthy, farmers must know which nutrients they need and make sure none is missed.

Enough Drinking Water

Another important part of raising DOC is giving them enough water. If water is not given regularly, the chicks cannot absorb nutrients fully.

Vaccines

Even as day-old chicks, they must still be vaccinated. The vaccine can be mixed into their drinking water, so no injection is needed. Vaccines protect laying hens from various diseases that can be dangerous and even fatal.

Probiotics

High feed prices can push up the operating costs of a poultry farm. Farmers can work around this by giving probiotics. Probiotics help cut feed costs because the digestive tract is used to its fullest. They can also boost the chickens' immunity and protect them from various diseases.

To check that your care routine is working, weigh the chicks regularly. If their weight is below normal, review how you have been caring for them and see whether anything needs to be improved.

Read also: 6 Characteristics of Day-Old Layer Chicks You Should Know