Post-Hatching Care: Step-by-Step Guide for Raising Healthy Chicks

Before They Hatch (set up 24 hours earlier)‎‎

Pre-heat brooder to 35°C (95°F) at chick height.‎

Dry bedding (wood shavings, 5–8 cm deep).

Avoid newspaper or sawdust.‎

Set feeders/drinkers, add clean warm water and label a small starter area.‎ Block draughts; ensure good ventilation without direct wind.

‎1) Hatch Day (in the incubator)‎‎

What to expect:

Chicks pip, rest and may take up to 24 hours from first pip to fully out. They look damp and wobbly.‎‎

Do:‎‎

Leave them in the incubator until dry, fluffy and active (usually 8–12 hrs after hatch).‎

Keep incubator closed to maintain humidity and temperature.‎‎

Don’t:‎‎

Peel shells or “help” unless there’s a clear emergency and you’re trained.

‎‎2) First 12–24 Hours (moving to the brooder)‎‎

Quickly transfer dry chicks to the pre-warmed brooder (35°C / 95°F).‎

Offer warm water with electrolytes or a little glucose for the first drink.‎

Beak-dip each chick gently so they learn where water is.‎

Provide fine crumble chick starter (20–22% protein). Scatter a bit on clean paper on top of litter for easy finding.‎‎

What to expect: Lots of sleeping between short bursts of eating/drinking.

‎3) Days 1–3: Settle & Start Strong‎‎

Heat: Keep at 35°C; watch behavior:‎‎

Huddling under heat = cold‎

Far apart/panting = hot‎

Evenly spread, softly cheeping = just right‎

Light: 24 hrs of light for the first 24–48 hrs, then \~18 hrs/day.‎

Space: Aim for 0.05–0.06 m² per chick (\~0.5–0.65 sq ft).‎

Hygiene: Change wet bedding spots daily; rinse drinkers twice daily.‎‎

Check daily: Bright eyes, full crops after feeding, clean vents (wipe “pasty vent” gently with warm water if needed).

Litter & air:‎‎

* Keep litter dry and fluffy; remove caked areas daily.‎

* Good airflow, no direct draughts.‎‎Health watch:‎‎

* Look for splayed legs, curled toes or weak chicks, often heat, flooring or vitamin issues. Correct temperature, give firm non-slip footing and consider a poultry multivitamin per label.

5) Vaccination & Biosecurity

‎‎* Day 1: Marek’s (often at hatchery if available).‎

* Day 7: Newcastle (eye drop/drinking water).

‎* Day 14: Gumboro/IBD.‎

* Day 21: Newcastle booster.‎

* Week 6–8: Fowl pox (wing-web).‎‎> Keep vaccines cold, mix fresh, follow label/vet guidance. Schedules vary by location and production type—consult your local vet or extension officer.‎‎

Biosecurity basics:‎‎

* Footbath at door, limit visitors, separate new/sick birds, clean tools between pens.

‎6) Weeks 5–6: Transition‎‎

* Chicks now mostly feathered; you can remove extra heat if nights are warm.

‎* Move to a larger grow-out area with more per-bird space and roosts for future layers.

‎* Consider grower feed from week 6 (layers) or follow broiler program if meat birds.

We’re here to help‎‎

At Cadeda Farm Equipment, we supply reliable automatic egg incubators and give free expert hatching training + 24/7 support so your chicks start strong and thrive.‎‎

📞 Call 0723082610‎

🌐 cadedafarmequipments.com