| BEFORE CHICKS ARRIVE Clean and Disinfect Your Anstey chicks have come from a very clean and sterile environment . We recommend cleaning and disinfecting procedures be used to ensure healthy, happy chicks. - It is impossible to disinfect dirt, dirt harbours microorganisms. Cleaning is the entire removal of dirt, followed by a thorough disinfecting. - Use Virkon Disinfectant or a equal amount of bleach and water. - Clean and disinfect the walls, floor and ceiling. - Clean and thoroughly disinfect all poultry equipment, feeders, waters etc. - Make sure the building is dry before adding the litter to the floor. Litter - A good litter provides stability and insulation for the birds. - Use poultry peat moss, wheat straw or shavings. Never use shavings that contain chemicals. paper, sand, or sawdust as a litter. - Prepare the brooder area by spreading litter to a depth of 3 - 4 inches. Chilling can be caused by not enough floor insulation. This can lead to mortalities, stunting, ascities, or crooked toes. - Remove any wet or caked litter as soon as it develops, and add clean fresh litter. FLOOR SPACE - Provide one square foot per bird. - Use 18" chick guard to prevent chicks from straying from heat. The diameter should be sufficient to permit chicks to eat and drink at the edge of the heated area and return to the warm brooding area form heat. - Once the chicks are grown they will need two square feet per bird. - Use 18" corrugated chick guard in a circle to eliminate crowding in the corners and to reduce drafts. HEAT - Preheat the room at least 24 hours before the chicks arrive. - The temperature should be 89 - 91 F (31 - 33 C ) at a point 2" above the litter or head level of the chick. - A 250 watt infrared heat bulb hung at 18" above the floor is advised. Allow 3 infrared heat bulb for every 100 chicks. - Never use a white heat lamp as the light intensity is too bright which promotes stress and picking problems. VENTILATION - Ventilation is important from the first day. It provides fresh air, it removes stale air, it controls temperature, it controls humidity, it removes dust, it regulates ammonia and carbon dioxide levels, as well as keeping the floor drier and the chicks healthier. WATER - Provide 2 - 1gal (4.5L) waterers for each 100chicks. -Clean fresh water is of utmost importance. have waters filled at room temperature when chicks arrive. - Plan on 2 one gallon waterers for each 100 chicks. Water is a vital nutrient and makes up 60 - 70% of the chicken and is present in all cells. We reccomend water available to the chicks for the first 2 -3 hours before feeding. FEED - Allow one inch of feeder space per bird. One 3' feeder can handle 75 chicks. - Chicks should be fed a 20% Fine Crumble Chick Starter. Never dilute a dilute a starter with grains because the birds need all the vitamins and minerals proved in the starter. These are the steps to consider before the chicks arrive. We trust that you follow the above points to help achieve the desired results from your flock of Anstey chicks. Please read the further information on BROODING AND FEEDING INSTRUCTIONS FOR CORNISH CROSS ; LAYERS ; DUAL PURPOSE; TURKEYS. |