Brooding is similar to other poultry management practices. It's recommended to provide water within 12 to 14 hours after hatching, commonly referred to as "boiling water and eating."
(1) Method: After the chicks hatch, they are removed from the incubator and placed in brooders once they are dry. Once the chicks have calmed down, warm water should be offered in the drinkers. This helps them regain their energy. If they don’t drink water on time, their feathers may become brittle, which can negatively affect their health. Prolonged water deprivation can cause them to rush and overdrink when water is finally available, leading to diarrhea. When introducing water, each chick should be familiar with the location of the water source. They will then learn to drink on their own. One effective method is to catch a healthy chick, dip its beak into the water, and let it drink. Other chicks will observe and follow suit.
According to some reports, placing brightly colored stones or marbles in the water containers can attract the chicks’ attention. When using boiled water, it can also be combined with disease prevention measures by adding certain medications or supplements. For example, potassium permanganate can be added regularly to make the water slightly pink. During the first 1–20 days, you can add 5%–8% brown sugar, glucose, or a small amount of complex B-vitamin solution to the water. Oxytetracycline at a concentration of 0.02% can also be added during the first three days to boost immunity. Water in the drinkers should not be too deep to prevent drowning. If using duck or chicken-shaped open drinkers, place clean stones inside to reduce splashing and keep the chicks dry. Drinking fountains should be cleaned or disinfected daily, and the area around them should remain dry.
(2) Simple Drinking Fountain Production: Drinking fountains for chicks can be made from tin, aluminum, ceramic bowls, jars, or even glass bottles. The simplest version can be a ceramic bowl, a basin, or a glass jar. To create a basic drinker, fill a bottle with fresh water, cover it with a plate, turn the bottle upside down, and insert a 1 cm thick wooden block at the mouth. This keeps the plate about 1 cm deep, allowing the chicks to drink gradually until the water runs out.
Another option is a tower-style drinking fountain, consisting of a pointed water storage container (such as a can or bucket) and a shallow tray. A small hole, approximately 0.5 cm in diameter, is drilled near the bottom, just 1 cm above the base to control the water level. The spire prevents chicks from standing on top and contaminating the water. After drinking, the water level drops below the hole, allowing more water to flow automatically. This ensures a continuous supply of clean, fresh water. However, it’s important that the water dish isn’t too large or too deep to avoid drowning risks for the chicks.
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