PREPARING FOR YOUR ORDER:
- Brooder Space/Heat: Day old poultry should be started in a proper space such a barn, out-building, basement, poultry coop or garage. 重要的是要确保您的育雏空间是清洁和消毒之前使用它, especially if poultry have been kept there before. Whether you have them on bedding or on a wire floor, 他们周围应该有某种坚固的墙或隔板来防止穿堂风. Make sure dogs, cats and rodents are kept out. 最初,每只小鸭子或小鹅需要大约1/3平方英尺的围栏空间. 对于较大的区域来说,效果最好的是一个18英寸高的纸板围栏,在该区域的中心悬挂一个加热灯. 做一个圈/圈不会留下任何正方形的角落,让小家禽堆积在角落里,也不会让它们离热源和食物源太远. Hang the lamp about 18 inches above the floor at first. 放在地板上的温度计在灯/热源下的读数应为95度. 每隔3-4天将灯升高一次,逐渐降低温度至90-85度.
- Bedding: Use 2 to 4 inches of dry litter, such as pine wood shavings, chopped straw or other appropriate bedding. Do not use newspaper or other slick material, 这可能会导致腿从下面滑出来,导致严重的腿部问题. We also don't advise using cedar chips, treated shavings, large thick wood chips or dusty sawdust as bedding.
- Water: 根据家禽的数量,确保提供足够的水容器. Provide room temperature water. Wash & clean the containers every few days. 我们建议在他们的饮用水中加入我们的Streseez Plus(每3加仑水1茶匙).
- Feed: Use NON MEDICATED FEED for Ducks and Goslings. 使用一个好的起始饲料,(问你当地的饲料经销商)然后切换到生长饲料.
FIRST DAY INSTRUCTIONS:
Arrival: 当你的订单到达时,邮局应该通知你,并让你去取. 我们建议您通知您的邮局,让他们知道您正在等待活体动物的订单. After arrival introduce room temperature water first, this is the most important nutrient after being in transit.
Sexed Birds: 如果你订购的是有性别的鸟,腿上会有一个彩色的橡皮筋来区分性别和品种. 一旦你确定了品种和性别,请把它从腿上拿下来. 发货单的背面会有手环颜色的说明.
REMEMBER….Baby poultry may carry germs that can make people very sick. 避免污染人类的食物,并在处理完它们后一定要洗手.
WATCH THE BEHAVIOR: The best way to judge comfort of the birds is to watch them. When they are cold they will be loud and huddle close together, if comfortable they will be reasonably quiet. 如果他们挤在一边,就会有气流把热量移向那个方向. 如果他们远离灯,灯太低或者房间里太热了. Huddling closely under the lamp indicates they need more heat. If they are spread out throughout the pen drinking, eating and sleeping you have a perfect living space.
One heat lamp can handle about 35 ducklings, 20 goslings.
0-1 week old 90-95º F
1-2 week old 85-90º F
2-3 week old 80-85º F
3-4 week old 75-80º F
4-5 week old 70-75º F
5-6周大时,你可以开始从加热灯(65ºF以上)断奶。
通常情况下,孵卵温度可以每周下降5度左右,在2-3周龄的时候可以在白天关闭,除非你生活在天气较冷的地区,然后在3-5周龄的时候,最终完全切断它们额外的热量. 如果在温暖的天气里饲养它们,可能只需要加热几周. 你必须根据它们的年龄和天气来决定是否允许它们在白天出去一小段时间. 一旦它们长出了羽毛,大约7到9周大的时候,一直呆在户外是完全可以的,但它们应该有一个庇护所,以保护它们免受过多的阳光和大雨.
As They Grow: 年幼的家禽(尤其是水禽)生长得非常快,你需要随着它们的生长而扩大它们的围栏,并在必要时保持清洁的床上用品.
Water Area: 水禽的水很脏,因此最好做一个金属丝平台,让水可以坐在上面. 使用搭建的平台,任何溢出的水都会穿过电线,无法触及. 他们不能追踪它到床上,也不能用它制造一个泥坑. 他们的饮用水保持清洁,他们的围栏或牧场也保持干燥.
Little ones can be on 1/2" hardware cloth placed over a pan for the babies. 平台应该足够大,从水的边缘延伸至少6英寸的婴儿.
Adults can be 1" welded wire nailed on to wood cross pieces. This can be placed over a pit in the ground for the adults. 平台应该足够大,从水的边缘延伸至少30英寸.
Swimming: 你可以早在一个星期就小心地给小鸭子和小鹅喂水. They must be able to walk in and out of the water very easily. 水不应该太冷,他们必须能够找到他们的热灯重新加热. They do not have oil on their feathers at this age, 所以他们不能在水里呆太长时间,否则他们会被水浸透并冻僵. 暴露在水里可以加速它们油腺的发育,让它们在五到六周大的时候就可以自由游泳了.