Chick Information File

Improving Caretaker Communication

The Chick Information File is a valuable resource for different caretakers to communicate and stay updated on the birds’ health throughout their lifespan.

The first section details the chick’s identification, including information on its parents, ID band, and the size of the band used. Also included is information about the chick’s sex and microchip, among other relevant details.

The second section is reserved for recording the chick’s incubation, hatching, and rearing history, including whether these processes were natural, assisted, or artificial. This section also includes information on the chick’s first feeding, any complications during hatching, and the techniques used for feeding, such as hand-feeding formula or lactated ringers.

In the third section, caretakers can highlight any medical concerns or incidents the chick may have experienced, regardless of whether these issues were resolved. Any medical records or veterinary examinations are attached to this section as well.

Lastly, the departure information for each chick is recorded at the bottom of the form, including details on their destination, adaptation information, and future breeding flocks. For chicks cared for in the nursery at any point in their development, this form is used in conjunction with weight and growth monitoring charts.

To ensure the well-being of young chicks, it’s essential to maintain a record of each one brought into the nursery for hand-rearing, as well as those monitored in the nest while being parent-reared.