PEACHICK RAISING & CARE
"OUR PROCEDURES"
Incubator Hatched Chicks.
all Incubated chicks stay in the
Incubator for 36 hours after hatching, they are then moved into
"Brooder Boxes" as a group. Our brooder boxes are located in the
"Brooder shed" which we believe is very important for Peachicks, the
boxes have 50% fully enclosed shelters with one or two heater lights
(75w) in each shelter. These heater lights stay ON for the first 2
weeks 24/7, then they are put on timer to come on 5.00pm, off
8.00am(subject to weather) The floor of the "Brooder boxes" is
completely covered with "Turkey Starter" we also have 4 auto feed
hoppers filled with "Turkey Starter" in each box. We ONLY feed
"Turkey Starter" for the first 6 -8 weeks depending on growth rate. We
strongly recommend you do not feed the Peachicks foods that can
contain Bacteria, such as kitchen scraps. Fresh water is given
twice a day without fail, this is very important as their immune
system is yet to fully develop. The Peachicks will stay in the
"Brooder Boxes" for a minimum 10 weeks usually longer. We then move
the chicks to our "Juvenile Pens" (subject to weather) these are one
third the size of our normal pens (including height) and have 50%
shelters, with 6 inches of wood shavings in each. We do not mix
Peachick batches, this means Batch no1 will go in "Juvenile Pen" no1,
Batch no2 will go in "Juvenile Pen" no2 and so on.. The Peachicks will
have NO contact with any Adult birds, especially
Peafowl, Chickens, Guinea Fowl ect... they stay in the "Juvenile Pens"
for 5-6 months minimum and are vaccinated (usually at 3 months of age)
within that time.
Hen Hatched Chicks:
We do not allow
Peahens to Incubate or raise chicks, we will and do use Chickens (Including Pekin
Bantams) but under strict conditions, all our "Peafosters" as we call
them are kept away from all other birds especially Poultry, they are
penned away from all other Chickens and at no time in or out of the
breeding season will they come in contact with other Poultry. They are
not allowed to free range at any time, and are kept on a strict diet
and like all our birds they are vaccinated with Baytril, Emtryl, and
wormed, but they are given one additional dose prior to incubation of
Peafowl eggs. All "Peafosters" are set in our "Brooder Boxes" in our
"Brooder Shed" and are treated the same as Incubated Chicks including
heater lights where needed.
Important points:
Peachicks are very susceptible to a couple of
diseases and must be treated like a new born human baby (sterile
conditions) "Turkey Starter" will help build their immune system and
vaccinate them. They should NOT have ANY contact with Adult birds,
particularly Peafowl, Chooks, Turkeys (excluding the foster bird of
course) this is one of the most important points and will help to
insure your Peachicks stay strong, healthy & disease free. Peachicks
are most susceptible from age 0 - 20 weeks so it's important to give
them the best start in life. Over the years we have developed these
procedures (above) which in turn has improved our success rate to 90%.
(including Hatching) We cannot emphasize enough that a good breeding
plan is accentual to breeding success regardless of what you are
breeding and remember "Prevention is better than cure". Peachicks
MUST have heat for at least the first 6 weeks, they are very happy in
35c and need the heat to aid growth and mobility. If you have more
than one batch of Peachicks, you should wash you hands from brooder to
brooder and anything in one brooder should never go in the other,
including Chicks. Do not mix Peachick batches, do not allow them to
have contact with each other or any birds. Do not introduce a juvenile
bird to the flock until they are at least 5 months old (6 or more is
better)
The above is a
Guide only.
Article by Peacocks Australia / January 2006