Mia Patel
Newly hatched chicks are not entirely helpless, but they do have very basic needs. For the first 48 hours, they do not need food or water as they are still sustained by the yolk they absorbed during the hatching process. After this, they will need to be shown how to drink water, and you can start introducing food. Chicks need to be kept warm, dry, and safe until they grow a full complement of feathers. They should be kept in a warm, draft-free space, safe from predators, with a heat lamp to provide warmth. The temperature under the light should be about 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week, and then decreased by 5 degrees each week. Chicks also need to be kept clean, and their water and food sources should be kept clean and contaminant-free.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Food | Newly hatched chicks don't need to eat for 2-3 days since they still have the yolk inside them. After that, they should be fed a chick starter feed with at least 18% protein. |
| Water | Chicks must have access to clean, room-temperature water at all times. The waterer should be the correct size for the chick's size and age. |
| Temperature | The temperature under the light should be about 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week. The space should be warm, dry, and draft-free. |
| Housing | Chicks should be kept in a brooder box with at least 3-4 square feet of space per chick. The brooder box should be lined with nesting material such as newspaper, hay, or pine shavings. |
| Handling | Chicks should be handled very carefully and minimally during the first few days. |
| Hygiene | The brooder box should be cleaned out and the bedding replaced often to prevent the spread of diseases. |
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What You'll Learn
Provide water and food
Providing water and food is essential for newly hatched chicks. They can survive without nourishment for up to 48 hours after hatching as the egg yolk is absorbed in their bodies, but after this, they will need water and food immediately.
Water
Newly hatched chicks will be thirsty, and dehydration is a common cause of baby chick mortality. It is crucial to provide access to fresh, clean, and room-temperature water at all times. Waterers should be the correct size for the chicks' flock size and age. The waterer should be high enough to keep the water level between a chick's eye and the height of its back, so the chick drinks more and spills less. Chicks should not be able to roost over or step into the water, and the water should be changed at least twice a day. To prevent chicks from falling into the water and drowning, use shallow waterers or add pebbles, marbles, or tank rocks to the water's base. Place waterers on wood blocks or tiles to prevent the bedding from getting wet, as this can produce an ammonia-like smell that can damage the chicks' lungs.
Food
Chicks need to eat starter feed formulated explicitly for baby chicks, offering proper nutrition and processed finely enough for their beaks. You can choose between medicated, non-medicated, or organic starter feed, which should contain at least 18% protein to support early growth. The feed should also include amino acids, prebiotics, probiotics, yeast, vitamins, and minerals. To help chicks find their feed, sprinkle a little starter ration on a paper towel or paper plate. As soon as most chicks are pecking freely, remove the feed-covered paper before it attracts mould. For the remainder of the first week, put the starter in a shallow lid or tray, and switch to a regular chick feeder when the chicks start scratching out the feed. Choose a feeder that suits your space, preventing chicks from roosting over or scratching in the feed and wasting it with their beaks.
Brooder Area
The brooder area is a contained space that provides a warm and safe environment for raising chicks. It should be prepared at least 24 hours before the chicks arrive, with enough space for each chick. The brooder should be comfortable, warm, and draft-free, with a heat source such as a heat lamp or heat plate. Bedding should be absorbent and at least 3 to 4 inches deep to keep the area dry and odour-free. Wood shavings are recommended, but avoid cedar shavings, as they contain toxic oils that can harm chicks.
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Keep them warm and dry
Keeping newly hatched chicks warm, dry, and safe is crucial until they grow a full complement of feathers. Here are some tips to achieve that:
Keep Them Warm
Provide a heat source for the chicks, such as a heat lamp. The temperature under the light should be about 95–100°Fahrenheit (35–37.8°Celsius) for the first week. The rest of the brooder box can be a little cooler. Adjust the distance of the light or the wattage of the bulb to achieve the desired temperature. In colder areas, the heat lamp should be 18 to 20 inches above the chicks, while 24 to 27 inches is more appropriate in warmer areas. After the first week, you can gradually decrease the temperature by 5 degrees each week until the chicks are fully feathered, which usually takes about four weeks.
Keep Them Dry
It is important to ensure that the bedding and equipment in the brooder box are dry before introducing the chicks. Use a clean cardboard box as your brooder box. Line the box with absorbent materials such as newspaper, hay, or paper towels for the first few days, and then switch to pine shavings. Avoid using cedar shavings, as they are associated with respiratory issues in young chicks. Keep the brooder box clean and replace the bedding often to prevent moisture buildup, which can attract mould and cause respiratory issues.
Keep Them Safe
Ensure that the brooder box is draft-free, comfortable, and spacious enough for the chicks to move around. Provide at least 3 to 4 square feet of space per chick. Additionally, be cautious when handling the chicks, especially during the first few days after hatching, as they are very delicate.
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Use a brooder box
A "brooder box" is just another term for a place to keep your baby chicks until they're big enough for a coop. You can use a clean cardboard box as your brooder box. Line the box with newspaper, hay, or aspen shavings (available at pet stores) and put paper towels on top for the first 5 days. The paper towels give the chicks the traction they need to develop their legs. Cut a slit in the corner of the box, about 4 inches from the bottom and about 8 inches along each side.
The brooder box should have a realistic amount of room per bird. You can use a plastic container, a kiddie pool, a tub, or even a cardboard box. Make sure the ground surface is not slippery, or your chicks may get splayed legs or deformed feet. You can use puppy pads, which are non-slip and make for easy cleanup. You can also lay pine shavings on the ground, which are safe for chickens. To keep the brooder dry and fresh, you can use Coop Recuperate over the pine shavings.
The brooder box should be kept at a temperature of about 95–100 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week. The rest of the box can be a little cooler. Once all the chicks have hatched, you can use a thermometer to monitor the temperature in the box. 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. Adjust the distance of the light or the wattage of the bulb until the temperature is right. After the first week, you can raise the light to decrease the temperature by 5 degrees each week until the chicks have their feathers (usually 4 weeks for quail).
You can use a heat lamp to keep the brooder box warm, but be sure to use a red light or a black reptile heat light. Using a white light is very harsh on chicks, as the light is bright and protrusive. Also, make sure that your lamp fixture is very secure and that there is no risk that it could fall.
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Monitor their health
Monitoring the health of newly hatched chicks is crucial to ensure their well-being and survival. Here are some detailed guidelines to help you navigate the early days:
The First Few Days
The first few days of a chick's life are critical. After hatching, a chick will lie close to the egg for about eight hours before becoming more active. During this time, it's important not to interfere unless there is a problem. Newly hatched chicks are vulnerable, so they should be kept in a warm, dry, and safe environment. They should also have access to clean water and food, which can be sprinkled on a paper towel to encourage feeding.
Common Health Issues
Some common issues to look out for in newly hatched chicks include chick malformations, spraddle legs, belly button infections, and pasty vents. Spraddle leg is caused by hatching on smooth surfaces like newspaper or cardboard, resulting in splayed legs. Pasty vent, more common in artificially incubated chicks, can be caused by chilling, overheating, or poor diet. It's important to maintain a suitable temperature of 90–95 degrees Fahrenheit (32–35 degrees Celsius) to prevent such issues.
Navel Care
Proper navel healing is essential for chick health. If the incubator conditions are ideal, the navel should heal within the first hour after hatching. Poorly healed navels can lead to bacterial infections. To prevent this, ensure the incubator has proper humidity and ventilation.
Brooder Care
The brooder, or box, should be kept clean and at the appropriate temperature. Observe the chicks' behaviour around the heat source. If they huddle together, they may be too cold, and if they stay away, the box might be too hot. Adjust the distance from the light or change the wattage of the bulb to maintain a comfortable temperature.
Regular Health Checks
Conduct regular health checks on your chicks to catch any early signs of illness. Chickens can get sick suddenly, but they often hide symptoms, so be vigilant. Some common symptoms of illness include pale comb, wattles, and face, as well as thin and shrivelled features. Quarantine any sick chicks to protect them and the rest of the flock.
Broody Hen Care
If you have a broody hen, she will take care of the chicks' needs, keeping them warm, dry, and encouraging them to eat and drink. However, if you notice any issues or if some chicks are weaker, you may need to intervene and provide extra care.
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Transition to outdoors
When your chicks are ready to transition to outdoor life, there are a few key steps to follow for a smooth and safe process. Firstly, ensure that your chicks are fully feathered before considering any outdoor adventures. The feathers provide essential protection from the elements and help regulate body temperature. Until they are fully feathered, keep them indoors under a heat lamp or in a warm environment.
Start by gradually introducing them to the outdoors for short periods. Accompany these outings with constant supervision to ensure their safety and comfort. Initially, they may feel overwhelmed or unsure about their new surroundings, so provide them with a familiar enclosure or a small, confined space to explore. This helps them feel secure and allows you to monitor their behaviour.
As they grow accustomed to the outdoors, gradually increase the duration and frequency of their outside time. Introduce them to their permanent outdoor coop, ensuring it is secure from potential predators and provides adequate shelter from weather conditions. Provide ample food and water sources within easy reach, and consider adding extra bedding or nesting materials to make the space comfortable and familiar.
Continue to supervise their outdoor exploration, but also allow them to venture out independently. They will begin to display natural behaviours such as foraging and exploring their surroundings. Encourage these instincts by providing a diverse environment with varied terrain and plenty of stimulation, such as perches, branches, and perhaps even a small dust bath area.
Gradually, your chicks will adapt to their outdoor life and develop the necessary skills to thrive in their new environment. By taking a gradual and supervised approach, you ensure their safety and well-being during this transition, setting them up for a healthy and happy life ahead.
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Frequently asked questions
The chick will be very weak and lie close to the egg for about eight hours before it starts to move around. Don't touch or feed it until it is completely dry, and don't try to feed it until it has moved from the incubator.
You will need to set up a brooder box. This is the chick's first home and should be comfortable, warm, and draft-free with at least 3 to 4 square feet per chick. Cover the brooder base with nesting material such as newspaper and kitchen towels for the first few days, and then use pine shavings.
The temperature under the light should be about 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week. The rest of the box can be a little cooler. Adjust the distance of the light or the wattage of the bulb until the temperature is right. After the first week, you can raise the light to decrease the temperature by 5 degrees each week until the chicks have their feathers.
Chicks don't need to eat for 2-3 days since they still have the yolk inside them. After this, they will need to be fed a chick starter feed with at least 18 percent protein. Chicks should have access to fresh, clean water at all times.
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