Critical Factors on the FIRST SEVENTH DAYS OF DOC
Critical Factors include
1. Temperature
2. Lightning
3. Feed, feeding and water
4. Housing- spacing
5. Drugs and vaccination
For today we shall be handling the first one
Temperature
Note that once you miss it on the first seventh days, the error will continue with that batch throughout their rearing period
It’s an experience TEMPERATURE
Very critical factor to the success of your chicks – in shortage and excess
Poor temperature will affect feeding,caused dehydration, pneumonia…
I visited a farm where I still found coal pot at 3rd week of rearing!
Maintain a good temperature between 37-38 degree centigrade averagely on the first day to 3rd day
Chicks can tell you the temperature condition of the brooding room
When your birds refused to eat despite good lightning it’s a sign of high temperatur
They run from feeds and feeders
When your birth open their mouths panting, raising the feathers as if to fly it’s sign of high temperature.
When your birds run to the end corners of the brooding room, as if to be hiding it’s a sign of high temperature
When you hear unusual noises and sound it a sign of high temperature
When you see new birds stretch neck on the ground panting avoiding feeds it’s a sign of high temperature
All things being equal, day old chicks should be active, eating, running around and drinking water
On the other hand
When you birds cluster together resting on each other is a sign of low temperature
When your chicks gathered round your souce of heat (coal pot, stove…)as if to jump into it is a sign of poor temperature
Under a good temperature chicks will be evenly distributed on the floor, active, eating…
Now source of heat also matter
What you need is heat not fume or smoke
Good Sources of heat include:
1.Brooder- electrical
2. Coal pot
3. Stove
4. Gas
Due to our challenges our main source of heat in the country is coal pot and stove
For coal pot use good chacoal that is well prepared set up the pot outside, allow the coal to set and observe and smoke, identify the chacoal emitting the smoke and remove it
Using coal pot required regular check-up
Don’t just set it up and go to bed
You know it has no automatic control. Stove is also okay if you can set up the blue flame
That’s what you need
To be continued!
Very brilliant knowledge