Temperature - Temperature - Temperature
Chicks do not have the ability to control their body temperature
completely until they are 2 weeks old.
Ground temperature should be in the 32 - 34 degree Celcius range. Hang a thermometer - Don't guess! The temperature of the ground is far more important at this point then the temperature of the air.
You want to make sure the chicks' feet remain warm to the touch at all times.
Clear signs of an overheating chick are panting and a "chirping" distress sound.
A clear sign of a cold chick is cold feet.
To help insulate their living area there should be roughly 3" of soft, dry substrate. Do not use sawdust, sand or newspaper as a substrate.
The ambient room temperature should not drop below 25 degrees Celcius.
Food and water must be present at all times and in the warm zone of the living environment.
Keep the chicks living environment small as to help keep in the heat and avoid drafts. If the environment is too big the chick might get away from the water, food and heat. This could cause your chick to become weak.
Spend some time with your chick when you get it home. Make sure they are finding their food and water and are comfortable. Remember they are newborns! When handling the chicks be very careful. They are vulnerable and delicate. As soon as you notice their feet becoming cool return them to their warm living environment.
How do the chicks survive during shipping???
The remarkable egg yolk supplied by Mother Nature is absorbed by the chick just before it hatches, supplying it with enough nutrition to go up to 72 hours without food or water!
Supplies Needed For A Comfortable Chick.
1- Chick food - supplied
2- Substrate - such as Corn cob, Fresh n' Comfy, Daily Scoops
3- Small water dish
4- Small food dish
5- Heat bulb
6- Small living environment
If it's cool outside on the day of pick up please bring a small towel to insulate the chick box.