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.-_t!1:- NEW MEXICO STATE UNIVERSITYfr
ocT E? tgBI s. DEPARTMENT oF AGRrcuLruRE
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Las Cruces, New Mexico 88003 Volume 16, No. 4 April 26, L97 6
SPRING A}ID BROODING
Each spring many people either replace their sma1l poultry flock or feel they
should begin a backyard floek to provide eggs and poultry meat for the table. In
either case, it is neeessary to do a good Job getting the young chicks, poults,
or game birds off to a good start. There are a number of poLnts which should be
considered in order to be successful ln brooding ehicks whether 15 or 20 or in
groups of several thousand. Gettl-ng chicks off to a good start will normally
result in excellent results later on.
Getting Ready to Brood
There are a number of steps which should be taken in preparing your brooder
facilities. Each is important for success.
L. Cl-ean out all the old lLtter, scrape up any which is stuck to the floor
and sweep everything down. A power orchard sprayer does a good job in removing
the dust and cobwebs before cLeanLng in large houses.
2. I'Iash the thouse thoroughJ.y. Flush the cracks and crevices and scrub the
house weLL. Wetting the house several tlmes over a 2-3 day period wil-l- aid ln
eLininating several virus infections if they are Present.
:3. Disinfect the facility. The reconmended material by the USDA is a cresol-compound
whieh may be purchased in many forms. Lye has been found very satisfactory
over the years, unless a tuberculosis infection rtas present. Lye shoul-d not be used
in this case. Care must be taken to \,rear a pair of rubber boots as lye will eat up
normal shoes.
4. New litter should be put in after drying. This may be any good absorbant
material which doesnrt pack and is not dusty. Sawdust, shavings, straw (except oat
strarr), ground corn cobs, sugar cane baga6se, or wood chLps. Sand is not satisfactory.
5. A11 the feeders and water founts should be washed and sanitized. Several
days in the New Mexi_co sun will suffice but be sure they are turned several times to
expose a1L parts.
6. The brooder shouLd be thoroughly cl-eaned and exposure to the sun wLLl aid
in controlling any disease organisms. Remember there i.s a dust accumulation ln the
brooder and this can harbor disease agents. Be sure to oil any electric motors and
check the wafers by running them under hot then cold water. If they don't expand
and contract rapidly, they shouLd be replaced.
New Mexico State University is an equal opportuniiy employer. All programs are available to everyone regardless of race.
@lor, or national origin.