It's a detail that isn't one: the temperature of the water on the first day. At NEXTEKCI, the instruction is repeated to every customer: warm water, never iced. Here’s why this simple rule saves entire start-ups.
The shock of cold water
A day-old chick does not yet regulate its body temperature. When it drinks iced water after a night of transport, its entire body cools down suddenly: this is thermal shock. As a result, according to the NEXTEKCI guide: cold water shocks the chicks and delays the start-up — precisely what must be avoided in the first 72 hours, the most critical of the entire rearing process.
Warm water, on the contrary, encourages quick drinking, preserves body heat, and gets the machine going: a chick that drinks quickly eats quickly, and a chick that eats quickly starts well.
Water before feed: order matters
At the reception of the batch, the absolute priority is drinking, even before feed. The NEXTEKCI protocol:
- clean drinkers, filled with warm water before the arrival of the batch;
- calm opening of the boxes in the heated chick house;
- quick access to water for all subjects — gently dip the beak of the more hesitant ones;
- then distribution of starter feed.
On the advice of your technical supervisor, the water on the first day can be vitamin-enriched to help recovery after transport.
And the following days?
Vigilance does not stop at Day 0. Throughout the first week:
- maintain clean and temperate water at all times — renew it rather than topping up dirty water;
- clean the drinkers every day;
- ensure sufficient water points: too high a density creates competition at the drinker where the smaller subjects always lose;
- monitor the litter around the drinkers, the first area to become damp.
Signs that should alert
Chicks that do not drink, are huddled away from the drinkers, or are constantly jostling around a single water point: all signals to correct quickly. In case of doubt, do not guess: the NEXTEKCI WhatsApp support covers the 72 hours after reception, photos and videos are welcome.
Need advice on drinking or the equipment for your chick house? Write to us on WhatsApp at +225 05 44 83 27 79: the NEXTEKCI team responds quickly and gladly.