Sophie Bennett
Newly hatched chicks are not entirely helpless, but they do require special care. Like any other baby, they must be kept clean and well-fed, with constant access to fresh, clean water. They should also be kept warm, dry, and safe, with a clean environment that protects them from drafts and maintains the proper temperature. Chicks can survive up to two or three days without eating or drinking right after hatching, but it is important to ensure they have access to food and water as soon as possible. This includes using the correct-sized waterer for their size and age and providing a small dish of starting mash or a chick feeding starter kit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Access to food and water | Yes, from day 1, but it's not essential until days 2-3 of life. |
| Water container | A specific chick drinker/waterer should be used instead of a bowl to prevent drowning. |
| Water temperature | Warm water is recommended to encourage drinking. |
| Food | Commercial chick starter feed is the main food for hatchlings until they reach 6-8 weeks. |
| Food presentation | Food should be placed in a feeder and not thrown on the floor to prevent unhealthy habits. |
| Food timing | Feeders should be refilled when empty. |
| Food amount | There is no limit to the amount of food given to chicks. |
| Food introduction | Feed chicks by dipping their beaks in the food once they have had a drink of water. |
| Brooder | A brooder is used to provide chicks with shelter, food, and water, especially in late winter and early spring. |
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What You'll Learn
Chicks need access to clean water and food
Like any other babies, newly hatched chicks must have access to clean water and food. They can survive up to two or three days without eating or drinking right after hatching because they can utilize the nutrients in their retained yolk sac. However, it is crucial to ensure that each chick gets a good drink of water upon arrival, and water should be available at all times. Chicks are small and can easily drown, so it is important to obtain a specific chick drinker/waterer from your local supply store. The waterer should be the correct size for the flock's size and age. For example, the basin should be high enough to keep the water level between a chick's eye and the height of its back. This way, the chick drinks more and spills less.
Chicks should also be provided with food upon arrival. One method is to scatter chick starter feed on a paper towel, paper plate, or newspaper to encourage them to peck at it. After the chicks are pecking freely, the feed-covered paper should be removed before it starts to hold moisture that attracts mould. For the remainder of the first week, the starter can be put in a shallow lid or tray, and when the chicks start scratching out the feed, you can switch to a regular chick feeder. The feeder should be the right size for your space and have features to prevent chicks from roosting over or scratching in the feed and wasting it with their beaks.
Chick starter feed is the main food for hatchlings until they are six to eight weeks old. It is readily available and considered to have all the necessary nutrients for this stage of their lives. It has a higher ratio of protein compared to other types of feed, which the chicks need, along with vitamins and minerals. Chicks should be able to eat as much as they need, and they cannot be overfed.
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Use a chick drinker/waterer to prevent drowning
It is essential to provide newly hatched chicks with access to food and water. They can survive up to two or three days without eating or drinking as they can utilise the nutrients in their yolk sac. However, once they hatch, they should be introduced to food and water.
To prevent chicks from drowning, it is recommended to use a chick drinker/waterer. There are various options available, each with its advantages and considerations:
Mason Jar Waterers
Mason jar waterers are shallow, reducing the risk of chicks falling into the water. They are also inexpensive and readily available at local farm stores. However, chicks will outgrow them quickly, and they may not be suitable for older chicks.
Bell Waterers
Bell waterers are suitable for chicks up to 16 weeks old. They are deeper than Mason jars, so they last longer as the chicks grow. However, the depth may be an issue for day-old chicks.
Homemade Waterers
You can create your own chick waterer from recycled materials such as plastic containers, milk jugs, yogurt tubs, or large plastic water bottles. Ensure the materials are safe and non-toxic for the chicks. Drilling holes and attaching a wire or nipple system can create a simple and cost-effective waterer.
No-Drown Chick Waterer
Commercially available no-drown chick waterers are specifically designed to prevent drowning. They feature a narrow drinking space that prevents chicks from falling in. These waterers are durable and compatible with different jar sizes, making them versatile and long-lasting.
Rocks or Pebbles
To prevent drowning in any waterer, you can place smooth river stones or pebbles in the water. This method allows chicks to access the water without falling in, and if they do, the stones provide a barrier to reduce the depth. However, some people find that this method may hinder the chicks' ability to drink freely.
When choosing a waterer, ensure it is the correct size for the chicks' age and flock size. It should provide enough water without being too deep, and it should be stable enough to prevent tipping over. The water level should be between the chick's eye and back height, encouraging drinking and reducing spillage.
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Provide chick starter feed in a feeder
Newly hatched chicks have unique nutritional needs to support their growth into strong, egg-laying hens. They require a constant supply of clean, fresh water, which should be changed regularly. It is also important to ensure that each chick gets a good drink of water upon arrival.
Chicks should be fed a complete chick starter feed from the day they hatch until the first egg arrives, which is typically around week 18. This feed should include all the nutrients that baby birds need to grow at a healthy pace, including protein, vitamins, and minerals. Purina® Start & Grow® and Organic Starter-Grower are two examples of complete chick starter feeds, which include 18% protein and 1.25% calcium for bone and body growth, as well as prebiotics and probiotics for immune and digestive health.
To introduce feed to newly hatched chicks, sprinkle a small amount of starter ration on a paper towel or paper plate to help them find it. As soon as most chicks are pecking freely, remove the feed-covered paper before it starts to attract mould. For the remainder of the first week, put the starter in a shallow lid or tray, such as a shoebox lid. When the chicks start scratching out the feed, switch to a regular chick feeder.
When choosing a feeder, opt for one that works for your space and prevents chicks from roosting over or scratching in the feed. It should also have a lip to prevent billing out, which is when chicks waste feed by scratching it out with their beaks. Using feeders promotes healthier eating habits among chicks, as they can easily access the feed without foraging through debris. It also minimises the risk of diseases associated with ground contact and allows for better monitoring of the chicks' consumption.
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Add fine grit to feed in a 1:10 ratio
Newly hatched chicks must have access to clean water and food. In their first few days, chicks can survive on their yoke sac, which provides moisture and nutrients. After 48 hours, they should be introduced to food and water. To help them find their feed, sprinkle a little starter ration on a paper towel or plate.
Chicks do not need grit in their first few days of life. After this, they can be offered fine grit or sand along with their feed, although it is not necessary. Chick grit is ground into a fine substance for easier digestion by chicks. It is important to provide chicks with grit if they are eating anything other than chick starter feed, as this type of feed is ground up finely enough that additional grit is not required for digestion.
Grit is an essential part of a chicken's diet. Chickens do not have teeth, so they swallow small stones, gravel, or grit to help break down food in their gizzard. Without grit, food may not break down properly, leading to digestive issues or even death. Free-range chickens can often find their own sources of grit, but it is beneficial to offer it to them as well.
Grit is inexpensive and will last a long time, so it is recommended to provide it to chickens in a separate container so they can eat it as needed. When first offering grit, it can be mixed with feed in a 1:10 ratio to ensure they get some and learn about it.
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Keep chicks warm, dry, and safe
Newly hatched chicks are unable to regulate their body temperatures, so it's important to keep them warm, dry, and safe. A hen keeps her chicks warm by pulling them underneath her body with her beak if they don't move there themselves. Her internal body temperature ranges from 104°F to 107°F, and she keeps a nest of eggs warm at around 99°F to 100°F until they hatch.
After hatching, chicks remain under their mother's feathers until they are dry and fluffy. The mother hen ensures they sleep underneath her in total darkness, and she is available to them during the day if they are cold. The chicks dart out to eat, explore, and dust bathe before returning to the warmth of their mother's feathers. After the first week, chicks spend less and less time under their mothers, only returning when they feel chilly.
To keep chicks warm, it's important to provide a heat source. While heat lamps are a common option, they can be dangerous, routinely overheating chicks and posing a fire hazard. Instead, consider safer alternatives like a radiant heat unit or an oil-filled space heater for the first few days. Aim to provide only as much warmth as the chicks need, and gradually reduce their reliance on the heat source as they grow their feathers. Keeping chicks in a smaller, cozy space can also help retain heat. Place the brooder near a family heat source, such as a wood-burning stove or fireplace, to provide additional warmth. Maintain an ambient temperature above 70°F, especially during the winter months, to prevent chilling.
To monitor the chicks' comfort, observe their behavior. If they huddle together directly under the heat lamp, lower the lamp closer to the brooder. If they move away from the heat, raise the lamp. Panting chicks are a sign of overheating, and the temperature should be lowered immediately. A well-set-up brooder will have both warmer and cooler areas to accommodate the chicks' needs.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, newly hatched chicks need to have constant access to clean food and water. They can survive up to two or three days without eating or drinking right after hatching, but it is important to ensure they are well-fed and hydrated.
It is important to provide water at the correct height for the chicks. The water should be between a chick’s eye and the height of its back so that it drinks more and spills less. The easiest way to do this is to use a 1-quart (1 L) canning jar fitted with a metal or plastic watering base. You can add gravel or marbles to the water to prevent the chick from drowning.
If the chicks huddle together under the heat source, they might not be warm enough, and if they stay away from it, the box might be too hot. Newly hatched chicks need to be maintained at 95°F for the first week of their lives. After the first week, you can raise the light to decrease the temperature by 5 degrees per week until the chicks have their feathers.
