Page 147 - Hand rearing birds second

132 Hand-Rearing Birds

Antibiotics should not be used in chicks unless bacteria have been found to be the agent of
disease. During the first few weeks of life, a chick’s digestive tract is being colonized by many
beneficial microflora. These microflora serve to aid digestion as well as to successfully compete
with pathogenic bacteria such as E. coli. When antibiotics are given to young chicks without a
specific therapeutic goal, beneficial microflora are destroyed, thus leaving the digestive tract open
to colonization by pathogens. Use of antibiotics in any bird should only be done in consultation
with a licensed veterinarian; for example, if a chick has been injured by a predator such as a dog or
cat, see your veterinarian for treatment.
When young chickens are eating well, dietary supplements should not be given because feeds
are nutritionally complete. Feed stores may offer scratch feed, but this is more of a treat for adult
birds. Scratch contains little nutritive value and may contribute to obesity if fed excessively. Feeding
kitchen vegetable scraps is acceptable for adult birds but should not be fed to chicks because they
may potentially cause diarrhea.
When chicks are ill they may refuse to eat dry food. In this case, they may prefer a wet mash or
gruel. Wet mash (gruel) is highly palatable, contributes to hydration, and is simple to make. In a
large saucepan or Dutch oven, place three parts water and one part mixed grains. Grains such as
rolled oats, crushed wheat, milo, and wheat bran can be purchased in bulk at many grocery and
natural food stores. Heat over medium‐high heat, stirring occasionally. When it starts to boil,
reduce heat to low and continue to stir occasionally until most liquid is absorbed, from 10 to
30 minutes depending on the amount made. Cool completely and add one teaspoon to one table-
spoon of cod liver oil (depending on amount made), stirring thoroughly. If the gruel is difficult to
stir once cooled, add a little water until it is of a cooked oatmeal consistency. Because this gruel is
not nutritionally balanced, it should be used only to nurse ill chicks to health until they can eat dry
food on their own.
Poultry feed should be protected from the elements and from pests such as rodents and bee -
tles. Depending on the amount obtained, feed may be stored in sturdy containers ranging from
plastic breakfast cereal storage canisters to plastic or metal trash cans. Lids should be tight fit-
ting. In warm, humid climates, mold may be a problem, particularly when it cools at night and
moisture condenses within the container. To prevent mold growth, feed should preferably be
stored indoors or other areas in which there is not a wide variation in temperature. Moldy feed
should never be fed to any animals because of its potential toxicity. Mold in feed may be identi-
fied by its appearance (green, black, or rusty‐colored “fuzz”) or by its musty odor. This also
applies to the unfortunate practice of well‐meaning people feeding moldy bread to pond ducks
and their chicks.
Water is the most important nutrient. Ensure that fresh, clean water is available at all times and
is changed daily or whenever it is soiled with feces, litter, or feed. When water is changed, the
waterer should be scrubbed out using a sponge or brush, because algae and bacteria may accumu-
late quickly. Chicks will begin scratching behavior at 7–10 days of age. At this time, water availabil-
ity should be verified several times per day because of chicks’ propensity to kick feed and litter into
their water.
A few types of waterers are available. Plastic founts are readily available at feed stores and are
easy to use. They usually have an opaque white reservoir and red base (red attracts chicks’ atten-
tion). They are easily disassembled for filling and cleaning, and the threaded screw‐on type is most
secure. For a small number of chicks, a quart fount waterer is preferable to a gallon size fount as
the lip is shallower and narrower, discouraging drowning. To further discourage chicks from fall-
ing into water, clean aquarium gravel or marbles may be placed so that water depth is 1/8–1/4 in.
(3–6 mm).