6 Ways to Raise Day-Old Layer Chicks

Once you decide to raise laying hens, you need to make a few preparations first. These preparations help your poultry business run smoothly. One thing you must pay attention to is how to raise and care for day-old chicks (DOC). Caring for DOC is essential if you want the hens to be more productive later on. If you only focus on care during certain stages, the results will fall short. To get the best results, look after the birds through every stage to the end. The first stage begins with DOC, and the final stage is called the layer period. Here is how to raise layer chicks from day one:

Also read 4 Reasons Day-Old Kampung Chicks Die Early

Sugar Solution

Layer DOC are only 3 days old. At this point their bodies are still very weak, and they need help to survive. One way to help the chicks survive is to make a sugar solution. The sugar solution keeps the chicks comfortable and gives them extra energy. That energy keeps the layer chicks from becoming weak and keeps them active.

Drinkers

Drinkers are something you need to prepare for raising chicks. They are very important when rearing DOC. If the chicks do not get enough water, they cannot digest their nutrients properly. That is why chicks drink right after eating: it helps digestion and prevents dehydration. Dehydration is one of the causes of early death in chicks.

To make sure the farm has enough water, place drinkers in several spots the chickens can reach easily. There should also be enough drinkers so the birds do not fight over them. You can also put clean gravel in the DOC drinkers, because the lightweight drinkers tip over easily and spill water, which gets the chicks wet. The gravel keeps the drinkers from being too light.

Feeders

Besides drinkers, you should also provide suitable feeders. For grower and layer chickens, feeders are hung, but at the DOC stage, the right feeder is a plastic tray. Chicks need a wide feeder with more room to get at their feed. Plastic trays also let the chicks move around easily, especially when scratching at their food.

Lighting

To raise layer chicks, install lights in several spots. The lights keep the chicks warm. Besides lights, you also need a brooder to regulate the temperature inside the coop so the chicks do not get cold. Chickens cannot see clearly at night, so the lights also help them see better.

Vaccines

Vaccination is one of the most important ways to keep chickens healthy. Vaccines can be given as eye drops, by injection, or mixed into feed and drinking water. Without vaccines, the chicks will easily catch a wide range of diseases that can be fatal.

Medicine

Intensive medication helps prevent and treat chicken diseases. If a chick already shows symptoms of disease, give it intensive treatment right away and keep it away from the healthy birds.

Also read 7 Best Ways to Care for Day-Old Broiler Chicks

Those are some ways you can raise layer chicks. We hope you find this information useful.