6 Ways to Choose High-Quality Day-Old Chicks
How to choose day-old chicks: buy from trusted farms, then check for a weight of at least 35 g, bright eyes, no defects, a loud chirp and lively movement.
Day-old chicks (DOC) need special attention. Whether a farm succeeds depends on how well the farmer cares for its DOC. How productive the farm becomes depends on getting DOC care right. If DOC care fails, the poultry farmer loses money. Caring for DOC is not easy, so it has to be done properly. Besides paying attention to care, you also need to be able to choose high-quality DOC. The better the chicks you choose, the more your farm benefits. Quality chicks are hardier and have stronger immune systems. They also adapt easily to new surroundings, so they do not get stressed easily. That is why beginners and other farmers who plan to buy DOC are strongly advised to choose high-quality chicks.
Also read 7 Best Ways to Care for Day-Old Broiler Chicks
How to Choose Day-Old Chicks
High-quality DOC do not just happen; they come from high-quality breeding practices. That is why quality DOC cost more than ordinary ones. Beginners are advised to buy DOC at first, and only once the farm has grown should they start breeding their own. Here is how to choose high-quality day-old chicks:
Buy from a Trusted Farm
Large-scale farms sell not only chickens but also their DOC. Many of the DOC from these large farms are high quality, which makes them the go-to source for beginners and small-scale farmers. You can ask for recommendations from friends in the same business. That is why it is highly recommended to join a poultry farmers' community, where you can share knowledge and all kinds of information. The more information you have, the better.
Body Weight
High-quality DOC should also have a normal body weight, which must not be less than 35 grams. Premium-grade DOC can even weigh more than 35 grams. So you can ask the seller to weigh the chicks first.
Bright Eyes
High-quality DOC have bright, clear eyes. If a chick's eyes are cloudy and constantly watery, do not pick it, because it already has an infection. Farms usually sell DOC by the box. Check the chicks in each box one by one to see whether any are unhealthy or not up to your expectations.
Also read 5 Proper Ways to Raise Birma Chickens
Healthy and Free of Defects
Quality DOC are healthy and free of defects. Congenital defects will lower the quality of your farm's output, because the chickens will be less productive at producing meat or eggs. Signs of a defective chick include asymmetrical or drooping wings, a weak body, legs that cannot support its weight, limping, malformed eyes and so on.
A Loud Chirp
Quality DOC chirp loudly. Listen to them: if any chick sounds weak or makes no sound at all, do not pick it.
Lively and Agile
High-quality DOC are lively and agile. They move around freely, while poor-quality chicks are weak and lethargic. You should also check the chicks' physical condition: quality chicks have white to yellowish skin, bright yellow beaks and legs, and glossy feathers.
The higher the quality of the DOC, the higher the price. DOC are sold in several grades at different prices, so choose high-quality chicks that fit your budget.
