Vaccine schedule depends on diseases in the area. Newcastle is most problematic in most areas of Africa. Frequency depends on the type of vaccine being used but is usually every 3 months.

In general, the best bedding is wood shavings from a softwood, such as pine, spruce, or hemlock (with pine being the preferred option).  

The increasing cost and reduced availability of wood shavings have led researchers and poultry producers to explore alternative materials, including chopped sugarcane pomace (bagasse), rice husks/hulls, chopped straw, chopped maize stalks, chopped maize cobs (rachis), chopped Napier grass, chopped banana fibers, coffee husks, chopped coconut fibers, crushed hazelnut husks, peanut hulls, chopped oil palm fronds, dried leaves, pine bark, pine sawdust, wood pallet pieces, and sand. These other materials are usually compared to wood shavings; some are as effective or nearly as effective and others are less effective as a bedding material. 

Pine straw was found to be a poor choice for bedding material, as it caked over quickly. Shredded paper can be used as an alternative litter material; however, it tends to compact and cake during the first two weeks of use, reducing its effectiveness. If used, newspapers should be limited to only old newspapers because some printing inks are toxic until thoroughly dried. Glossy paper should not be used because it will not absorb moisture.

Sugarcane pomace (bagasse) is a by-product from extracting juices from sugarcane. It is also a by-product of ethanol production from sugarcane. When chopped into smaller pieces, sugarcane bagasse makes a reasonably good bedding material for chickens. The bagasse can also be fed to cattle so its availability for use as a bedding material may be low. Sugarcane bagasse can be prone to caking during the first few weeks but can be used effectively. If used as a bedding material, it is most efficient when sugarcane bagasse is mixed 50:50 with wood shavings.

Rice husks/hulls also make a good bedding material for chickens. Chickens have performed well when rice husks are used as bedding material. Rice husks typically are free from excessive dust, and their size, thermal conductivity, and drying rate make them a good choice for bedding. Rice husks can be used alone or in combination with pine shavings.

Chopped straw is widely used in cereal-producing countries. Straw refers to any stem material from grass or grains, including barley, Bermuda grass, flax, oat, wheat, and rye. Wheat straw is the type most commonly used as a litter material. Straw is difficult to manage and is prone to caking. If straw is used, it should be chopped to 2.54 cm lengths less. The length of the straw is more important than the type of straw. Straw that is too long will mat over more quickly. It may take more heat to keep straw dry.

Grass straws can also be used. In a study comparing chopped straw from annual ryegrass, perennial ryegrass, fescue, orchard grass, and pelleted ryegrass, the annual ryegrass and pelleted rye proved to be superior overall to the other grass straw types. Chopped Napier grass (Pennisetum pupureum, also called Elephant grass) can also make a good bedding material. Since Napier grass can also be fed to cattle, this will limit its availability for use as a bedding material.

Dried and chopped maize stalks can also be used as a poultry litter. As with straw, maize stalks can sometimes cake and mold growth can be a problem.

Maize cobs (rachis) are popular in areas where large amounts of maize are produced. The cobs must be cut, and pieces should be no larger than the size of a garden pea. If the pieces are too long, breast blisters can become a problem. Corncobs have a high capacity to absorb moisture, but wet cobs also form mold.

Banana fibers obtained from dried and chopped banana stalks can also serve as a bedding material.

Coconut fibers can be used as a bedding material once chopped up.

Chopped oil palm fronds can be used as bedding material. They need to be dried and chopped.

Bedding material is important for preventing injury to the pad on the bottom of the feet of chickens. An injury to the bottom of the foot can get infected and result in a condition referred to as ‘bumblefoot.’ Chickens with bumblefoot will become lame and may eventually die.

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Depends on the type of chicks. Meat chickens can receive 24 hr. light/day, but less is better after first 48 hours. Commercial meat chickens grow so fast, it is best to slow them down the first week or two to give the bones time to develop before weight is put on. For egg laying type chicks, 20 hr. light/day for first 48 hours to make sure they get off to a good start, and then reduce slowly to 10 hr./day until ready to start them laying eggs. See http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agcomm/pubs/ASC/ASC232/ASC232.pdf

Also see general article on brooding chicks at https://poultry.extension.org/articles/poultry-management/brooding-poultry-hatchlings/

Sorry for the slow response - I am currently in Guatemala and internet is not always reliable.

Deep litter - always for performance of natural behaviors such as nesting, dustbathing, etc. More room for the chickens to move around. BUT the chickens are in contact with their fecal material so disease and internal parasites can be more of a problem. Floor eggs can also be a problem.

Cages - cleaner eggs and less disease problem, but hens are not able to perform natural behaviors such as dustbathing, nesting, etc.

IF your hens are breaking the eggs it could be an eggshell problem. Make sure they have enough calcium in the diet so that they an create a strong shell. If you do not have cages, make sure the nest boxes always have bedding material. IF the nest boxes are above the ground, make sure there is a perch in front so that they don't have to jump directly into the nest.

Egg eating can become a problem if there are broken eggs. Once an egg eating habit starts, it is hard to stop. See the article at EGG EATING BY CHICKENS IN SMALL AND BACKYARD FLOCKS – Small and backyard poultry (extension.org)

You need to develop an Standard Operation Procedure (SOP) specific for your farm. It varies depending on size of farm, number of houses, number of employees, disposition of the eggs, etc. There isn't one size fits all.

Farm records are also farm specific, but should include total number of chickens present, daily mortality (with cause and disposition), daily feed consumption, daily egg production (including number of broken eggs, shell-less eggs, misformed eggs, etc.).

Record keeping is important for many reasons - two are most important. The first is because this is a business. How do you know how your business is performing if you don't keep track of flock performance and expenses? Secondly, often the first sign that something is wrong with a flock is a drop in feed consumption or a drop in egg production (or decline in growth rate).

If a disease outbreak is detected on your farm, consult a veterinarian. A diagnosis is required before you can start treating your flock.

See CHARACTERISTICS OF HEALTHY BIRDS – Small and backyard poultry (extension.org)

See COMMON SIGNS OF ILLNESS IN POULTRY – Small and backyard poultry (extension.org)

The primary way to prevent vaccine failure is to follow all the instructions for the particular vaccine you are using.

See VM82/VM062: Vaccine Failure in Poultry: Factors to Consider (ufl.edu)