What are the methods to improve the disease resistance of chicks in winter
As one of the most common poultry in our country, chickens are raised in all parts of the country. When raising chickens, the rearing work of chicks is very crucial. Especially in winter, because the temperature in winter is very low, it has a great impact on the growth of chicks, and chicks are also highly prone to various diseases. So how should we improve the disease resistance of chicks in winter? Below, the editor will give you a brief introduction. Let's take a look together!
1. Chicken coop management
After entering winter, the chick coop should mainly be enclosed to avoid draft openings and drafty gaps, but attention should also be paid to keeping the exhaust vents properly. This makes it easier to discharge harmful gases from the chicken coop, and then various warming equipment should be prepared inside the chick coop. After entering winter, doors and windows should be covered with materials such as straw curtains to improve the insulation performance of the chick coop. However, because the chick coop is relatively sealed in winter, it is prone to producing various harmful gases, which is also very unfavorable to the growth of chicks. They are prone to diseases such as bronchitis and laryngitis, so ventilation and insulation work in the chicken coop in winter are both very important.
2. Light control
Light is very crucial to the development of chicks. Suitable light can ensure normal activity of chicks and enhance disease resistance. It can also increase the feed intake of chicks and achieve the purpose of keeping warm. If there is insufficient light, it will delay the time for chicks to reach sexual maturity, and it is also very important for their growth. Therefore, according to the light needs of the chicks' bodies, we should control the light duration well and it must not be too short. But it also must not be too strong, otherwise it will affect the rest of the chicks, causing them to become overly fatigued, thereby reducing the growth rate and disease resistance of the chicks.
3. Stocking density
Stocking density is closely related to the disease resistance of chicks. The stocking density must not be too high. If the density is too high, it will cause the air in the chick coop to become foul, with high ammonia content, excessive humidity, and a dirty and messy environment. Chicks may also fight and compete for feed, reducing the survival rate of chicks and increasing the incidence of disease. However, the density should not be too low either. Although it is beneficial to the growth of chicks, various chicken-raising equipment cannot be fully utilized, resulting in increased breeding costs. Therefore, in the first week for chicks, we should control it at 30 chicks per sq m, then reduce it by five chicks each week until 10 chicks per sq m is enough.
4. Water management
The water content in the bodies of chicks is very high, reaching about 65%, and it exists in almost every cell in the chicken's body. If the dehydration of chicks seriously exceeds 10%, it will lead to functional disorders, and if it exceeds 20%, it will lead to death. Therefore, we should focus on managing water well and ensure that there is an adequate water source in the chicken coop, with the height of the drinker kept at the level of the chicken's back. Then we should also pay attention to water quality and change the water regularly. In order to avoid wetting the bedding, bricks should be placed under the drinker to keep the chicken coop dry. About two hours after the chicks are put into the coop, they should be started on drinking water.
The above is a brief introduction on how to improve the disease resistance of chicks in winter. That is all for today's introduction. This article is for reference only, and I hope it can help everyone!