There are no steadfast or hard rules on how to rear chicks hatched in incubators.
Everything would depend entirely on the climatic conditions in the farm area.
For farms with frequent and unpredictable rainfalls like mine in Kidapawan City, I believe that the most appropriate system is to first keep the chicks in brooders to prepare them for the harsh environment.
How long should the chicks be kept in the brooders would entirely depend on the farmer’s assessment.
In the farm today, I have adopted an improvised system where I keep the chicks for 15 days in circular brooders made of two GI sheets attached by rivets.
This is the period when the chicks go through three immunizations – twice for B1B1, IBD and Gumburo and once for fowl pox.
After 15 days, the healthy chicks are transferred to an elevated brooder with at least 2 to 3 bulbs of 100W.
The brooders have steel screen as flooring with receptacles underneath covered with sawdust or rice hull to catch the wastes.
The receptacles should be cleaned periodically to prevent flies from laying eggs and producing larvae.
Spraying the receptacles with anti-fly solution helps.
The chicks are kept in the elevated brooders for 30 days during which they will get three more vaccination for Mycoplasma, NCD Lasota and Coryza.
At 45 days old, I eliminate the weak and the runts and bring out the healthy chicks to the free range.
As I have said, the chick rearing system could be different in other areas.
In high and dry areas, the chicks could be brought to the free range on Day 1.
It will really be up to the farmer to adopt a system ideal for his farm set-up.
The only important determinant would be the health and physical appearance of the chicks.
If the farmer sees healthy and vigorous chicks running around, then his system is perfect for his farm.
The best system in hatching and rearing chicks, however, is by allowing the hens to do it.
Nothing beats Mother Nature.
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#FarmBestClassroom!
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