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Caring For ChickensChickens need three things: Warmth, Food and Water.
At Kimskova Park we use heat lamps rather than lights, as the chicks then have natural night & day. Heat lamps also help keep litter dry. A light bulb is fine however, as long as it is strong enough and the chicks have room to get away from heat if too warm. Ideally the chicks will "ring" the light when they are sleeping. If they are huddled directly under the heat source, it means it is not strong enough and if the room temperature drops there is no margin for error. To correct this, either put in a stronger globe, or lower the globe. If chicks are in a circle a distance from the heat source, it means it is too strong or hot. In this case, raise the lamp or put in a weaker globe. The chicks will need heat 24 hours a day for the first 2 weeks. After this you may turn the heat source off during the day if the weather is warm. Observe the chicks to see their reaction. If huddled, they are cold and need the heat turned back on. If chicks are not going under the heat source even at night, you can leave it off. This is usually at around 4 weeks of age.
**Please note it is an aide to prevention and not a cure for coccidiosis, which can be detected by red/orange in droppings. If this occurs, contact us at Kimskova Park and we will advise you on how to remedy this problem.Starter crumbles should be fed for the first 8 weeks. You may give them bread as a treat, but not too much. Scrambled eggs can be given at times in moderation. From 8 weeks until point-of-lay the birds should be fed Poultry Grower food. They can be started on greens and fresh scraps at this time. A laying hen which has plenty of fresh greens to eat will lay eggs with a nice rich yellow yolk. If yolks are pale yellow, increase amount of greens provided.
We add vitamins in the form of Solvita and this can also be purchased at Kimskova Park. A healthy chick should be active unless sleeping. If it is unusually quiet, or hunched in posture, or gasping, there is a problem. Call us for advice on how best to treat the particular disease. We hope your experience is enjoyable and your chicken develops into a healthy hen which gives you pleasure and plenty of fresh home-grown eggs. If we can help you with any other aspect of poultry raising and keeping, or supply of products, please contact us by email or on (03) 5281 5005.
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Food must be provided at all times.
Young chicks should be fed starter crumbles. This is a complete food and
is easily digestible. It is high in protein and has a coccidiostat in it
to prevent coccidiosis. 
