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Rearing Chicks
Health
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Reference has already been made to coccidiosis and the need to avoid damp areas and ground previously used by poultry. If these cannot be avoided, then chick crumbs with a coccidiostat will provide protection. Waterfowl have their own starter rations. Turkey rations usually contain an additive against Blackhead disease. It should not be given to other birds.
The question of vaccinations always comes up in relation to rearing your own chicks. Should you do it or not? It is a question for the individual and whether the birds are to be sold. If the latter is the case, the buyer can ask for compensation if the birds succumb to diseases that they would otherwise have been protected against. If they are your own birds for your own site, and you know that the site is a healthy one, the chances are that the birds will remain free of disease. The following vaccinations are the ones normally administered by commercial breeders: Marek’s disease, Newcastle disease and Infectious bronchitis.
The following are some of the conditions that can also affect young birds:
Death-in-shell
The most common causes of chicks dying in the shell are diseases either passed from the parents directly to the embryos, or disease pathogens that penetrate the shell pores. Breeder birds should be those that are healthy and free of transmissible diseases. If necessary, it is possible to have such birds blood-tested to ensure that they are fit to breed.
There are a host of mycoplasma diseases that can affect newly hatched chicks as well as shell embryos. They are often referred to as CRD (chronic respiratory diseases). Dipping the eggs in egg sanitant before incubating, as detailed last time, and then maintaining a good level of hygiene in incubator and brooder, will go a long way to keeping them at bay.
Not maintaining the correct level of humidity and temperature in the incubator can also produce dead-in-shell chicks.
Brooder pneumonia
Aspergillosis fumigatus is a fungus whose spores cause lung infection. Affected chicks gasp for breath and frequently drink more than normal. It is a result of inadequate hygiene and failing to provide sterile conditions for eggs, incubator or brooder.
Trembling chicks
Epidemic tremor or Avian encephalomyelitis is a virus infection transmitted into the egg from infected breeders. Again, the need for healthy parent birds is obvious.
Pasted rear ends
Salmonella pullorum or white diarrhoea disease is also transmitted from parent birds to chicks via the egg. Mortality is usually high for an infected chick will soon infect the others in the brooder. Sick chicks should be removed and placed in a warm area on their own in order to avoid passing on infection.
Copyright © Katie Thear 2005