Raising chicks: common problems and how to manage them successfully.

What are the most common problems when raising baby chicks, and how can they be resolved quickly?

We all hope that when we're hatching chicks, or when we bring them home from the feed store, they'll be happy, healthy souls who will give us years of pleasure.

And most of the time, they are.

But sometimes, raising chicks can bring problems. Weak chicks, chicks with illnesses, lone chicks... even chick bullies!

It's important to be prepared for these issues before they arise, so that we're clear about what needs to happen.

On this page you'll find links to articles covering the most common issues with new chicks.

Each one covers how to identify the problem, what to do about it and how to prevent it happening again.

Pasty butt in baby chicks

It's one of the most common problems in raising new chicks, and it's easily put right. But if left, it can quickly cause a chick to die.

This article covers everything you need to know about pasty butt: why it happens, how to spot it, and what you can do to prevent it happening in your chick brooder.

Learn what you need to do before it happens!

Dealing with wry neck

Wry neck can be one of the most distressing problems to look at in a new chick. It affects balance and feeding, and if not dealt with can mean the chick starves to death.

The information in this article will help you identify it and deal with it quickly and easily. It takes time and patience, but it can be done.

Find out what you need to keep in your chick first aid kit to put it right if it ever happens to you.

How to cull a chick

None of us want to, but the fact is that one day a chick will be so obviously unwell, distressed or disabled that we have no option but to cull it.

The skill is knowing how to provide a compassionate, painless death when the time comes.

Here are the options you have, together with a discussion about the pros and cons of each.

Don't leave it till you need it. Be prepared.