Chicks require careful temperature control during the brooding period. Newly hatched chicks should be kept at 34°C to 35°C, and the temperature should gradually decrease by 2°C to 3°C each week. By the time they are 4 to 5 weeks old, the brooding temperature should be close to the ambient temperature, around 20°C. This gradual reduction helps the chicks adapt to their environment and stay healthy.
For rural chicken farming, several effective brooding methods are recommended. First, village groups can focus on centralized brooding, while individual farmers raise chicks separately. Second, using broody hens or roosters to hatch and care for small groups of chicks (15-20 per bird) is a traditional and efficient method. Third, cardboard boxes can be used for brooding. The bottom should be lined with sawdust, allowing up to 40 chicks per square meter. A plastic sheet covers the top, and a 25-watt bulb provides heat. Water and feed should be provided inside the box for the first two weeks, after which they can be moved outside.
Fourth, small greenhouses can be set up indoors to maintain optimal temperature and air quality. Proper feeding and management are essential for chick development. Chicks should have access to water within 5 hours of hatching. Warm water at 20°C, mixed with 5% sugar, is ideal for the first three days. Chicks can start eating 15 hours after hatching, with a diet of mature rice and cooked egg yolk for the first three days. After that, they can be fed with commercial feed. Feeding frequency decreases over time, starting with 6-8 meals a day in the first week, then gradually reducing. For cost efficiency, young chickens under 40 days can be fed once daily. When grazing, avoid areas where pesticides have been recently applied, and keep chickens away for 5-7 days after application. Chickens are sensitive to moisture, so it's important to provide dry shelter, especially during rainy seasons.
Disease prevention is crucial. At 5-7 days old, chicks should receive the Newcastle disease II vaccine, diluted in cold water or saline. At 30-35 days, the IV strain is administered via drinking water or injection (0.5 ml per chick). Fowlpox vaccine is also given under the wing. Around 70 days, the I strain is injected. In areas with outbreaks of infectious bursal disease, bronchitis, or Marek’s disease, vaccines should be administered as needed.
Rural chicken farms often face sanitation challenges. Preventing diseases like chicken lice, salmonellosis, colibacillosis, and coccidiosis is vital. Oxytetracycline (0.1%) and norfloxacin (0.02%) can be added to feed from day 1 to 70 to prevent bacterial infections. If illness occurs, enrofloxacin (5%-10% injection) or 0.5g per 20kg of water can be used. From day 7 onward, anticoccidial drugs should be given in cycles: 4-5 days on, 3-4 days off, to prevent resistance.
In summer, high temperatures and humidity increase the risk of feed spoilage. It’s best to use feed within 5-7 days of purchase. Chicken rearing areas should have good drainage to prevent standing water and reduce disease spread. Effective health management significantly reduces illness rates and improves overall flock performance.
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