Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Chicks will scratch wood shavings into the fount. Clear the trough of litter and
provide fresh water at least twice a day. The lid helps keep the food clean, but the
chicks will still manage to soil it. Scoop the poop and wood shavings out of the
feeder twice a day.
A Word about Hygiene
WHEN YOUR BIRDS ARE CLEARLY THRIVING
in their brooder, it's easy to
drop your guard a little and not worry about the small things you once obsessed over.
Temperature regulation is under control. Food and water sources are up to par. And
the birds now seem to be used to their unnatural surroundings and constant daylight.
Well done. But don't pour any celebratory drinks just yet. Your girls aren't out of the
woods for quite some time. Pullets and cockerels under two months of age are ex-
tremely vulnerable to diseases caused by lax care or hygiene negligence.
Make sure you set aside time at the beginning of each week to really clean out
their starter home. Adding clean pine shavings to the existing pile may get you
through the week, but this negligence will eventually take its toll. What seems clean
