Many people are unfamiliar with chick habits and what chicks are afraid of, such as whether they are afraid of the cold. So, are chicks afraid of the cold? Let's find out.
Are chicks afraid of the cold?
Chicks are very sensitive to cold. Newly hatched chicks have a weak ability to retain heat, and their normal body temperature is 3°C lower than that of adult chickens. Therefore, chicks tend to huddle together for warmth, so it's important to keep them warm. For the first three days, the room temperature should be around 33°C. In winter, the minimum temperature for chicks should be maintained between 22°C and 28°C. If the temperature is too low, chicks are particularly susceptible to colds, which may lead to bronchitis or even infectious bursal disease.
How to keep chicks warm?
1. Heat lamp
If the weather isn't too cold, heat lamps can be used for chicks, which is quite convenient. However, if the temperature is too low, the heat preservation effect is not good, resulting in uneven temperature distribution with some areas being warmer and the surrounding area being colder.
2. Heater
With the conditions for raising chickens getting better and better, many farmers have also purchased heaters. The temperature of the heaters can be automatically controlled, which makes it much more comfortable for people at night.
3. Incandescent lamp
For raising chicks at home, you can prepare a cardboard box or foam box, and line the bottom of the box with thick newspaper, toilet paper, or clean straw for warmth. If the temperature is still not sufficient, you can install an incandescent light bulb of appropriate wattage in the box.
4. Flue heating
The heating system using flue heating typically includes an operating room. Heating is performed in the operating room outside the chicken coop, and then the flue runs inside the coop, allowing the temperature to rise directly from the ground, ensuring a balanced temperature throughout the coop.
5. Coal stove heating
Using a coal-fired stove to heat the chicken coop is currently the most common heating method. The temperature is relatively stable, but it requires getting up several times at night to add coal.
