Key points:
- Flush the water lines prior to arrival, and make sure that no disinfectant is left in the water
lines when the chicks arrive.
- Make sure that the nipples and round drinkers are on the correct height, nipples on eye
level of the chicks, and round drinkers on the floor.
- Put paper under the nipples to attract the chicks and put also extra feed over the chick
paper or paper trays.
- Check the nipples / round drinkers whether the water supply is sufficient. When nipples
are used the chicks must see the water drop on the nipple.
- Upon arrival wait 3 to 4 hours before distributing food to make sure chicks first drink
enough water to restore their body fluid
- During the first 2 days use tepid water at 25º to 30 ºC
- The removal of the supplementary starter drinkers should be done gradually, making sure
that the chicks have acquired the habit of using the other drinkers.
- It is useful to monitor water consumption. To maintain litter quality, it is necessary to avoid
water spillage, by carefully regulating the drinkers or the nipples.
- The drinkers should be cleaned daily for the first 2 weeks. From the third week they
should be cleaned each week.