Getting Started with Chicks and Ducklings

Baby chicks and ducklings are a sure sign of spring. However, if you plan on raising any specie of poultry, there are some very basic things to keep in mind.

Heat and Space for Chicks- One of the best ways to determine whether or not it is too hot or too cold for the chicks, is to observe the way they are behaving. If they are in a pile or bunch huddling under a heat lamp, it is probably too cold. You can lower the heat lamp to warm the area up. If they are hanging out as far as they can from the heat source, it is probably too hot and you can set the lamp up further away. If your brooder is set up in a way that you could hang your heat lamp from the ceiling or top a lamp that hangs would be best. If you have the birds in a brooder that doesn’t allow for anything to hang above you would be better with a lamp that can clamp onto something stable nearby.

Bulb for the Lamp- Most people use a 250 watt bulb. Some use a white bulb, some use a red bulb. Since chickens, quail and pheasants have cannibalistic tendencies, the red is said to deter them from pecking at each other. Ducks do not have these tendencies so using a white bulb for them would be fine. If you begin to have a problem with “pecking” you can purchase some anti-pick.

Feed and Water should be of free choice when they are young. We recommend for chicks using a starter feed medicated with amprolium, which helps develop an active immunity to coccidiosis. Keep in mind that you cannot feed this to ducklings, so feed them an unmedicated version (recommended for ducks and geese). For mixed flocks, the unmedicated version works best.

Size and Quantities of the Feeders and Waterers you choose will depend on the size of your flock. For most, starting with one or two 1 qt feeder base and the jar is sufficient. These setups allow for constant feed supply. Another way is using a feeder that isn’t self dispensing such as a 20in plastic feeder. Again for starting out, most flocks can thrive on one or two quart size or gallon size waterers. For smaller birds such as quail we recommend a quail base to the same jar. As the flock grows, larger feeders and waterers should be provided. Again it is important to keep fresh feed and water available at all times.

No matter what kind birds or what you plan to do with them when they become adults, a good start with proper housing and feeding can ensure you a happy, healthy, stress-free flock!