4 Ways to Build the Right Coop for Day-Old Chicks

A coop for day-old chicks (DOC) is different from one for adult chickens, and it has to be built properly. The reason is that DOC really need a coop that is safe and comfortable. Their immune systems are still weak and they are sensitive to cold, so they die easily. When many chicks die, the poultry farmer loses money. That is why, in the early stages, farmers must know exactly how to care for DOC, including how to build an effective coop. Along with nutritious feed, the right coop helps chicks develop more stable immunity. They also do better mentally than chicks whose nutrition or housing is inadequate. To help your chicks grow and develop well, here is how to build the right coop for day-old chicks:

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Coop Size

The size of the coop must match the number of DOC you buy. If there are too many chicks, they will end up crowding each other. For the coop type, you can use a litter system, which works well for DOC. Later, once the chickens have grown and reached the next phase, move them to a separate section for adult birds.

Before putting the chicks into the DOC coop, weigh them first. This lets you check their average weight, so the farmer selling the DOC cannot cheat you. The chicks also need some preparation before they go into the coop: once they arrive at the new farm, let them rest and then give them a palm sugar solution. The sugar solution gives the chicks enough energy. Only after all of them have drunk it are the DOC ready to go into the coop.

A Fully Enclosed Coop

When building a DOC coop, make sure no part of it is left open. Try to keep it closed both day and night. Day-old chicks cannot withstand air that is too cold, which can make them sick and then kill them.

Lighting

At night, it is highly recommended to put a light bulb in the coop. This keeps the chicks warm and lets them see their surroundings. The bulb also helps protect the DOC from attacks by other animals such as rats. Rats love to attack chicks, especially at night, so good lighting can help prevent unwanted incidents.

Brooder

A brooder is a coop heater that keeps the chicks' bodies warm. Without a brooder, chicks get cold very easily, especially during the rainy season and in extreme weather. Set the temperature carefully so the chicks are neither too cold nor too hot. You can ask poultry farmers who are used to working with brooders how to set the temperature correctly. Watch how the chicks behave: if they huddle under the brooder, it is not warm enough yet, but if they move away from it, the temperature is too hot.

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Even if you buy quality DOC, not knowing how to raise them properly can leave you with lower-quality chicks. Good care means nutritious feed, vaccines, vitamins and an ideal DOC coop.