A good start is crucial for all animals, including poultry. As especially day old breeders are often transported over longer distances in sometimes challenging conditions, some extra support after arrival can help the birds to get off on an easy start. This holds for all chicks, but especially day old chicks produced by young breeder flocks can use extra attention.

Although feed and water are available at placement, not all chicks are strong enough on arrival to go immediately to eat and drink. To make it easier for the birds to start we can supply them with products that contain nutrients and water in one, and that are attractive for the birds to start on and easy to consume.

A good product group to help birds get started are fruits. A lot of fruits contain high levels of moisture and fructose, which helps the birds to hydrate and get energy. Especially a product like water melon is well appreciated by birds and attractive to pick on. Probably because of the color and the smell, day old chicks tend to go quickly towards it and consume it, even chicks that normally have a more difficult time to get to the nipple.

When water melon is not available, also products like oranges can have a beneficial effect. We do not need to give a lot of fruit, 3-4 gram per bird is sufficient. We can give the fruit on feed plates but also on egg trays. The contrast in color between fruit and egg tray might even help the birds to find it more easily.