Page 138 - Hand rearing birds second

Domestic Poultry 123

the temperature is too cold; if they are pressed against the brooder ring, the temperature is too hot
or there may be a draft.
Solitary chicks may benefit from the addition of a feather duster or even a mirror in their enclo-
sure, because many chicks of these species are stressed by being alone. Frequent handling of chicks
destined to become pets will assist them in becoming socialized to humans, but chicks must be
allowed ample time to eat and drink throughout the day. Children should be instructed about this
because many children enjoy carrying chicks around, but may inadvertently prevent them from
obtaining adequate nutrition.
Many chicks need some introduction to food and water. If the flock size is large, about 25% of the
flock can have “formal instruction,” and those can be counted on to “teach” the rest. Instruction
consists of dipping the beak into the water and feed a few times. Select the feed type once the spe-
cies is known. Chick starter feed and game bird starter feed should be readily available at most feed
stores and are preferred over scratch (which is not nutritionally complete). Starter feed typically
comes in mash and crumble forms, both of which are suitable for feeding, though very young
chicks may find mash easier to ingest. Waterers must have a small lip for the chicks to drink from;
even smaller if the species has tiny chicks. Generally, preferred waterers are a bell shape that allows
water from the center holder to refill the lip as needed. Never use waterers that are big enough for
the chicks to fall into. Newly hatched chicks are unstable on their feet and have trouble righting
themselves if flipped over. This can result in mass drowning if waterers consist of open dishes. If
this is a concern, placing marbles or stones in the waterers reduces the depth of the water and the
possibility of entrapment. Gradually, the waterers can be replaced with larger units to accommo-
date the growing birds.
Healthy or mildly dehydrated chicks may begin drinking on their own or after a few turns of
beak dipping. Weak chicks may attempt to swallow but may not be able to hold up their heads. In
this situation, after dipping, tip the chick backward gently, using a thumb and index finger to gen-
tly support the beak; observe them swallowing. Once they have swallowed, dip their beaks into the
water again. Repeat the dipping and tipping until they no longer drink.
The goal throughout initial treatment is to stabilize birds and reduce stress as much as possible.
Stress causes depression of the immune system and otherwise weakens chicks’ defense against
disease (Saif 2003). Stressors include chilling, nutritional deficiency (including due to decreased
appetite), dehydration, excessive handling (particularly of game birds), and overcrowding.

Physical Examination
General: Is the bird thin? Feel the bird’s breast and note the keel bone; the more prominent, the
more underweight the bird. Does the bird appear pale? Is the bird lethargic? Is the bird hunched
over or showing an otherwise abnormal posture? Are there signs of trauma (puncture wounds,
broken skin)?
Integumentary (Skin and Feathers): Is the skin dry and clean? Are there any cuts, scrapes, or
abscesses on the body? Are there any bumps or nodules on the skin? Are feathers ruffled and held
away from the body? Examine the feet and legs. Do leg and foot scales lie flat and appear smooth,
or are they raised and crusted? Are the pads of the feet clean and intact, or is there thickened skin
or an apparent “scab”? Examine feathers and skin near the vent and tail base very closely for signs
of external parasites. Use a magnifying glass to examine the base of the feathers and along the
feather shafts and barbs (Figure 7.2). If legs and toes are feathered (a breed characteristic in some
chickens), examine feathers there also. Examining feather plucks under a microscope can help
identify the type of parasites. Lice and mites are the most common types of ectoparasites. Poultry