Management of Chicks

Emu chicks weigh about 370 to 450 g (about 67% of egg weight) depending on the size of egg. First 48-72 hours, emu chicks are restricted to incubator for quick absorption of the yolk and proper drying. Clean and disinfect brooding shed thoroughly and well in advance of receiving chicks, spread litter (paddy husk) and cover new gunny bags or burlap over the litter. Arrange a set of brooder for about 25-40 chicks giving 4 sft per chick for first 3 weeks. Provide brooding temperature of 900F at first 10 days and 850F till 3-4 weeks. Proper temperature makes the brood successful. Provide sufficient water mugs of a liter capacity and equal number of feeder troughs under the brooder. A chick guard must be 2.5 feet height to avoid jumping and straying of chicks. A 40 watt bulb should burn in the brooder shed throughout the day for every 100 sft area. After 3 weeks of age, slowly extend the brooder area by widening the chick guard circle and later remove it by the time chicks attain 6 weeks. Feed starter mash for the first 14 weeks or till attaining standard body weight of 10 kg. Ensure proper floor space for the birds housed, as these birds require run space for their healthy life. 30 ft run space is required; hence floor space of 40ft x 30ft is required for about 40 chicks, if out door space is provided. Floor must be easily drained and free from dampness.
Do’s:  

• Never over crowd the pen
• For the first few days, provide sanitized water and anti-stress agents
• Clean the waters daily, otherwise automatic waters are preferable
• Monitor the birds daily for their comfort, feed intake, water intake, litter condition etc for making immediate corrections if any.
• Ensure proper mineral and vitamins in the feed for healthy growth of chicks and to avoid leg deformities.
• Practice all- in -all -out rearing to maintain better biosecurity

Don’ts:

• Never handle the birds during hot hours.
• Birds easily excite. Hence, calm and quite environment in the pen is required
• Birds easily grab any item, so avoid certain objects like nails, pebbles etc in the vicinity of birds
• Avoid unauthorized persons, material into the farm. Proper biosecurity must be ensured
• Never keep the birds on smooth and paddy husk spread surface, as the young chicks easily excite, run and break their legs due to slipperiness.