Day-old chicks must be handled with care. A flock that gets off to a good start is easier to control. It has a higher body weight at the start of rearing process, is more uniform in size, has a better health status and reaches ‘genetic potential’ more easily.

There are a number of basic things for you to bear in mind Before chicks arrive, check that everything in the house is working properly: jikos are lit, there is enough fresh air coming in, feed and water are readily available and there is enough light.

Heat the house 24 hours before the chicks arrive.
Maintain a temperature of 30⁰C to 32⁰C in the first week. Prevent cold air from falling on chicks. Ensure the drinking water is lukewarm: greater than 20⁰C but less than 28⁰C.
Ventilate the house to remove stale air and bring in fresh oxygenated air. High carbon dioxide levels may kill your birds or cause ‘water belly’ disease.
Use Paper or gunny bag material in feeding for a minimum of 3 days.
House at a spacing of 1 bird per square foot, with 80 birds per drinker and 100 birds per pan feeder.
Feed 25g per day for days 1 to3 and give Multi Vitamins for 3 days.