Day-Old Chick Care Mistakes Every Beginner Should Know
Avoid these day-old chick care mistakes: the wrong coop, no brooder, skipping sugar water, unsuitable feed and no vaccines. A must-read for new farmers.
Day-old chicks (DOC) are one of the factors that decide whether a chicken business succeeds. Many people say that if DOC care goes well, the farm has a real chance of success, and if DOC care is poor, it can lead to bankruptcy. Every business wants to turn a profit, so start paying attention to how you choose quality DOC and how you care for them properly.
What Is a DOC?
Before learning how to care for DOC properly, it helps to understand what a DOC actually is, especially if you are a beginner who has only recently entered the poultry business. DOC stands for "day-old chicken", in other words a chicken that is one day old. A chicken is called a DOC from the time it hatches until it is 14 days old; after that it is no longer called a DOC but a starter-stage chicken.
Also read How to Choose Top-Quality DOC
During this phase, chicks need extra attention. Quality parent stock produces quality DOC, while poor parent stock produces lower-quality DOC. New farmers should know that DOC are sorted into several grades: superior or super quality, regular quality and low quality. Super-quality DOC cost more than the other two grades.
DOC Care Mistakes
Besides knowing what a DOC is, you also need to know the mistakes people make when caring for them. Here are some DOC care mistakes to watch out for:
- A coop that isn't ideal
The first mistake beginners often make is using a coop that isn't ideal. A DOC coop is different from other coops: it must be safe, comfortable, warm and well lit. Some beginners put their chicks in an open coop where the wind can blow in from every side. That makes the chicks sick, with problems such as bloating, chills and so on.
Give them an enclosed coop with adequate ventilation. Another mistake beginners make is providing only a light without a brooder, even though the light only provides illumination, while the brooder provides warmth. A brooder is essential because DOC can't yet regulate their own body temperature.
Also read DOC Coop Mistakes Beginners Often Make
- No sugar water
The next mistake is not giving the chicks sugar water. Sugar water gives DOC energy. Chicks that don't get sugar water become weak and listless. If you buy DOC from another farm and they have to travel a long way, you must give them sugar water. After that, avoid putting the chicks straight into the coop, because it will stress them.
- Unsuitable feed
Another care mistake is unsuitable feed. DOC feed must have a soft texture and must not contain water. Too much water will give the chicks the flu. Avoid coarse-textured feed, because a DOC's digestive system isn't fully developed yet.
- Skipping vaccines
The next mistake is refusing to vaccinate. Vaccines strengthen the chicks' immunity. Unvaccinated DOC easily catch diseases ranging from mild to dangerous, which can end in death.
Also read What Causes Early Deaths in DOC
That covers what a DOC is and the care mistakes you need to know about. We hope this information is useful.
