How to Raise Chick Chicks? Beginner Breeding Methods and Technical Key Points

For newly hatched chicks, the temperature should be controlled at 33-35 degrees, the humidity should be controlled between 70-85% in the first few days, and on the first day they should be given all-day lighting; later on, gradually reduce it by half an hour each day, and after two weeks they can return to natural lighting. As for feeding, generally for the first three days feed them some cooled boiled water first, then feed them some cornmeal, special feed, and so on. Let's take a look below at the detailed introduction on how to raise chick chicks.

I. How to Raise Chick Chicks?

1. Temperature: the temperature should be between 33-35 degrees, with the standard being that the chicks do not huddle together or breathe with their mouths open.

2. Humidity: in the first few days the humidity can be kept between 70-85%; high humidity is beneficial for yolk absorption.

3. Lighting: for egg-type chicks, the lighting time on the first day is 24 hours, then reduce it by half an hour each day, and after 2 weeks they can have natural lighting. From 1-3 days, the stronger the lighting the better, to make it easier for them to eat and drink. (Broiler chickens have 24-hour lighting throughout, and the light intensity can be gradually reduced later.)

4. Water first, then feed. Those that have been transported long distances must be fed 3-4 hours after receiving water.

5. For feed, you can choose cornmeal; if it is steamed until half-cooked, that is even better. You can also use the complete chick compound feed from a feed mill.

6. Drinking water: in the first three days it is best to use cooled boiled water; as long as the water temperature does not feel cold to the hand, that is fine. Multivitamins and antibiotics such as ofloxacin can be added to the water to prevent pullorum disease and E. coli.

II. What Are the Precautions for Raising Chick Chicks?

1. For chick chicks, pay attention to keeping warm: 40-35℃ for 1-3 days of age, 34-33℃ for 4-5 days of age, 33-32℃ for 6-8 days of age, 32-30℃ for 9-12 days of age, 30-28℃ for 13-20 days of age, and after that normal temperature can be used. In actual practice, the standard for warmth is that they move freely and are very lively inside the box. Keep the air inside the house fresh, especially in winter; be sure to handle the relationship between warmth and ventilation well.

2. When starting to feed, first drip-feed several drops of 0.1% potassium permanganate water; after 1 day, feed a mixture of 5% glucose and 0.1% vitamin C mixed with a small amount of feed, stirred evenly. According to nutrition, feed requirements, and feed formula, make feed with a relatively soft texture. At 1-2 weeks of age, feed once every 3 hours, 5-7 times a day; at 3-5 weeks of age, once every 4 hours, 4-5 times a day; after 5 weeks of age, 3-4 times a day, and afterward feed normally.

3. Adjust the stocking density in time. 1-10 days of age: 50-60 birds per sq m; 10-20 days of age: 30-40 birds per sq m; 20-40 days of age: 20 birds per sq m; 40-56 days of age: 10 birds per sq m. Use scissors or an electric beak trimmer to trim the beaks in time.

Overall, chick chicks are still quite easy to raise. As long as the temperature is controlled at 33-35 degrees, the humidity is controlled at 70-85%, all-day lighting is given on the first day, and later the lighting is gradually reduced by half an hour, while feeding some cooled boiled water first and then some special feed, that is enough.