Check the offspring.
Do they have the right comb?
Right down color for the variety?
Are the legs strait, right color, is the bird balanced?
Many things need to be checked.

If they are brooded - is the brooder warm enough
Are the chicks eating and drinking
Do they look healthy?

If raised by mom hen - Is the mom taking care of them
Does she show them food and water
Does she protect them , Is she picking on them, playing favorites?

Have you read the standards description for your breed, what about variety?
If not START.
You will need to know this information.

Raise them right.
Feed them right.
Spend time with them but allow them to be chicks.

Check momma hen for parasites.
If she has lice or mites, fleas or ticks take care of it.
Dust, bathe, whatever needs to be done.
Put the chicks in a warm place while mom is being taken care of.
Do not ignore the chicks - do they have parasites also?
Taking care of bugs on chicks is a tricky business.
Some stuff is too strong for them.
Use your head when having problems so early.

Clean your nest boxes and replace the bedding.
A thin layer of sevin dust will help protect against unwanted bugs.
Do you vaccinate your poultry?
If so you should be already vaccinating against Merricks, Newcastle, Bronchitis, Lerengo, MG and the many other problems.
Fowl pox - yes did you remember that one?
Chick pox is the vaccine for young chicks.
Remember to mark your calendar and read the instructions for the vaccine.
Most vaccines take more than one dosage for immunity to develop.

If you do not vaccinate your fowl
I would mainly recommend the fowl pox vaccine - regardless of breed.
Fowl pox can cause the loss of points on your single comb,
the leader on your rosecomb, and the fine points of your pea comb.
It is heart breaking to loose these particulars and could mean the loss of a champion.
Fowl pox is seasonal and ramped.

Keep in mind if you start vaccinating now -
and have not done it in the past you will have to continue vaccinating the flock to protect them.
Most vaccines are live or modified live virus.
You are putting the disease into the flock to build immunity to protect them.

Keep your bedding clean, your pens clean.
Feed well - provide good food.
Fresh clean water is a must.
No perch for the mom or young birds yet.
Sit back and wait.
Enjoy the antic’s of a mom and chicks
or those cute little fuzz balls in the brooder.

Keep mom and chicks separate from the other hens.
A jealous hen within the coop can accomplish a lot of damage to a young chick.
A unruly rooster will kill the young.
A bad mom should have the chicks taken away and brooded.

Fine points of raising young chicks:

Keep housing clean - less bugs and problems
Feed medicated chick starter - a healthier offspring
Keep treats down. Meal worms look like toes
As they age and mature problems will start - be prepared.
Greens are important, grain is important, water is essential.
As they grow more room is needed,
a cushion on the feet will help protect feet and legs.
Feed for feather and growth, for show - not lay.
Keep an eye on growth, take care of problems as they rise.
Be prepared.

Keep an eye on feather and development.
Next month we will start looking at the champion hopeful's.
As the birds develop - sex, feather, growth, and we hope.
What are we looking at?
The fine points - the difference between that 1st and 1st BB/BV the first step toward a champion.
They are in every flock, every breed, every variety.
Is the 2007 PCBC Winter Show Champion in yours?

May is here