»Supplies you need when raising chicken«
Many people are into poultry where they buy and raise day old chicks. There are preparations and practices that you need to do when raising day old chicks.
Before receiving day old chicks ensure that you have every thing you need set up. Ensure that you have a brooder which is a safe place that will ensure that the chicks are warm enough and have access to feed and water. Plan on one square foot for each chick for the brooder.
Brooder requirements
Ensure that the sides of the brooder have no hole to prevent exit of the chicken.
Choose an appropriate bedding material for your brooder. The most common bedding material used are wood shavings or chopped straw.
Ensure that you provide a heat source for the chicks and this can be by using a heat lump. When young, ensure that the lump is closer to the chicks and move the heat lamp away as the chicks get older..
Chicks‘ behaviour will tell you if you have the right temperature or not. If you see the chicks cuddled under the lamp then its not warm enough and when you see them getting further away from the lump then its probably too hot.
Baby chicken need a constant source of fresh water and fresh feed. Give chicks food that is designed for chicks with a protein content of about 18%.
Other considerations
It is important to research which chicken breed does well in your area. The considerations includes heat and cold tolerance, the size and amount of eggs they lay.
Move them from the brooder into a grower house after 6 weeks. The house should have a nesting box for every 3 to 5 chicken incase of layers.
