Off-grid living is on the rise, and so is chicken keeping! However, chicks purchased online or in a feed store need supplemental heat to keep them warm. So, how do off-gridders provide the necessary heat for keeping chicks warm? Here are my top 10 tips for brooding chicks off-grid.
Keeping Chicks Warm
Before we get into tips for brooding chicks off-grid, it’s necessary to know that in order for chicks survive and grow into robust adults, they must be kept warm. This means that during the first week of life, chicks need to be brooded between 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit. After the first week, the temperature within the brooder is decreased by 5 degrees each week. A chick does not require additional heat once it is fully feathered or when the brooder temperature matches the outdoor temperature. When chicks do not receive adequate heat, they can suffer serious long-term consequences.
Chicks that struggle to maintain their body heat tend to:
- Expend all of their energy on keeping warm, potentially stunting their growth later on. You can see this often in broiler breeds.
- Develop a weaker immune system, which can lead into other health conditions.
- Die suddenly.
Read the complete Commentary: https://blog.mcmurrayhatchery.com/2022/03/27/10-tips-for-brooding-chicks-off-grid/
