Feeding chickens in the first days of life: tips for beginners

2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16

Properly organized nutrition for newly born chickens is of the utmost importance. It depends on him whether they feel normal or start to get sick. And of course, how quickly they will grow up and start laying eggs.

Chicks that have just been born do not eat for some time (8-10 hours), so you need to arrange a place for them to live before organizing the feeding of chickens. In the first days of life, small pets are especially defenseless, they need warmth and light. Therefore, for their cultivation it is necessary to choose a dry, warm place. If there are few chickens, then you can use an old trough or an inverted box, a cardboard box from household appliances to build their house. We cover the bottom with paper, newspapers or unnecessary rags, with the expectation of a regular change of bedding. Above the location of the chickens, a lamp should burn around the clock, but not bright, with a muffled light. A red lamp or a lampshade made by hand from a plastic bottle will do.

Feedingday old chicks will require your diligence and time. The first meal consists of a hard-boiled egg (one for 25-30 pieces), which must be finely chopped or ground. The next meal is made in two hours and then with the same regularity. Feeding chickens in the first days of life occurs at night. The diet includes millet porridge cooked in milk, chopped young grass. It's good if the types of food alternate. Special mention must be made of drinking. Feeding chickens in the first days of life is supplemented with milk. You can buy special drinkers for your little pets, or you can make them yourself. You will need a saucer and a half-liter jar. Pour half the milk into the jar and cover with a saucer, turn over. A little milk will seep into the saucer, from the jar it will quietly flow into the saucer. It is important these days not to wet the chickens, for them it is deadly. Unfortunately, today the situation is such that the mortality rate of chickens is very high, therefore it is advised to give them an antibiotic with drinking, which will help to cope with various infections. Until they grow up, there will be no trace of him.

On the third day, you can make changes to your pets' diet by starting to give the flour mixture, after moistening it with milk, broth or water. It is better, of course, to use broth or yogurt. Feeding chickens in the first days of life must necessarily include fresh herbs. If possible, purchase special baby food for them, this will greatly simplify your life. Do not regret cottage cheese for the chicks, it is very useful for them.

When your pets are six days old, you can add separate feeders with mineral feed and fine gravel and sand, and switch to water. Some veterinarians advise introducing potatoes to chickens from 20 days of age. In the first days - at the rate of 5 grams per one per day, then increasing the amount. Older chicks should be taught raw potatoes.

These simple tips will help beginners raise he althy adult chickens that will provide the whole family with eggs.