Poultry guide part1

CARE OF BIRDS & FOWL IN HOT WEATHER

Birds and fowls are more suited to cold than to hot weather. They lay more eggs in cold weather
because they are not stressed. Fowls do not perspire but they pant for breath and need much
drinking water in hot weather. So that they will lay more eggs, do not leave them under the heat
of the sun; if they are allowed to roam about, let them seek shade. Give them wet food and
crushed shells during very hot weather.

CARE OF CHICKS

The first week in newly hatched chicks is important. It is here that the health of the fowl
depends, to give it good price. These first seven days is 15% of the growth and life of a growing
chick. In the natural way, the mother hen teaches the chicks, as they go about together, how to
cackle, or squawk and the young ones learn to hunt for food and avoid enemies (oppressors). The
mother hen also provides her chicks with heat under her wings. But in raising chicks in numbers,
these opportunities are wanting. They learn in life individually. Thus, it is necessary to provide
the chicks with the right temperature, light and air, and right number in their coop.

1. Coop temperature

Chicks temperature is 38.6°C and becomes 40.5°C in 7 days. The feathers that provide heat to
their bodies are still few. Thus, many chicks die of cold within the first seven days. The coop
temperature must be 31°C-35°C in the first day. This is lowered by 3°C at the end of the first
week. After this, temperature must be maintained at 21°C-24°C . When the temperature of the
coop is not right, the chicks will not approach their food or drink within 5-7 days, so many
chicks die of hunger and weakness when they are cold. When the coop temperature is right, the
chicks are lively in the first 2 or 3 days; they pick up things that attract them like bright stones or
colorful grains and they preen their feathers or swim in the soil. When the coop temperature is
not adequate, they cling close to one another, chirp loudly and endlessly and refuse to move.

2. Light

In the first week, give the chickens light to enable them to keep eating. After this, familiarize
them for a period of an hour without light so that they will not suffer shock when power is out. If
they will not learn to eat in the dark, they will not grow fast. They will not grow quickly with
mere 8 hours light and 16 hours dark.
3. Flow of Air

Airflow in the coop must be adequate enough to remove the stench of their manure. Strong wind
however will make them feel cold.

4. Chick Population

Do not overpopulate the chicks in the coop. They should be just enough so as to allow free
circulation of air.

5. Loss of Heat

When the chicks are clustered together, heat is not lost. The size of the coop should grow as the
chicks grow. In this way, the right temperature is maintained.

6. Drinking Water

Chicks easily get thirsty, especially in hot weather. If they do not drink enough, they will not eat
enough, and so will not have energy in their bodies. As such, they will chill, which could cause
their death.

Drinking bowls should be numerous so that they will quickly learn to drink. These should also be
in bright places so they can be easily found and accessible to approach.

Chicks that drink before eating easily gain weight.