In this week’s episode, Nikki (Purely Chickens) and Dr. Blayne (The Poultry Doc) sit down to chat about all things chicks. A healthy flock begins with setting up your brooder right.
They discuss heat lamps vs brooder plates, medicated vs non-medicated chick starter, what “organic” really means for future eggs, and several ways to handle coccidiosis.
Then they dive into Marek’s, breaking down why this ubiquitous, highly contagious disease matters so much and exactly when and how to vaccinate. Find expert, practical advice whether you’re hatching at home, buying chicks from the local feed store or sourcing from a breeder.
0:00 Intro
1:12 Heat Lamp vs Plate
2:48 Heat Lamp Warning
3:49 Electrolytes and Probiotics
4:48 Introducing Natural Probiotics from Older Birds
5:31 Medicated Feed vs Coccidiosis Vaccine 8:37 Marek’s Vaccine 13:18 When to Vaccinate 14:18 Grit
15:13 The 24-Hour Crop Fill
16:46 Illness and the Brooder
17:58 Can Your Eggs be Infected?
18:40 Why Not to Wash Your Eggs Before Incubating
19:40 More on Natural Probiotics from Older Birds
20:41 More on Marek’s Disease
22:34 How to integrate New Chicks
24:25 Keeping a Closed Flock
24:55 Introducing 1-day-old Chicks to Hens