24/10/2025
Don’t Wait Till Your Chicks Arrive...
Prepare First...
One big mistake many new poultry farmers make is waiting until the chicks arrive before getting ready. By then, it’s already too late to correct certain things that could affect their health and growth.
If you want your chicks to grow fast and stay healthy, your preparation should start days before they come. Here’s what to do before they arrive:
1. Clean and disinfect the brooding house. Sweep, wash and spray with disinfectant. Make sure no dirt or old droppings are left behind. Germs hide there.
2. Pre-heat the brooder. Test your heat source, whether it’s a bulb, charcoal pot or gas brooder, at least 24 hours before. The place should be warm and ready before the chicks land.
3. Spread clean bedding. Use dry wood shavings or rice husk. Avoid sawdust because it’s too fine and can choke chicks.
4. Clean feeders and drinkers. Wash them with disinfectant and rinse well. Dirty equipment is one of the main causes of early chick sickness.
5. Prepare clean water with glucose and vitamin C. This helps your chicks recover from stress after transportation.
6. Seal all air entry points. Cold air can make chicks pile on each other and some may die from suffocation.
Getting ready before your chicks arrive saves you money, stress and losses. Preparation is half the success in poultry farming.