Emily Carter
Newborn chicks are delicate creatures that require extra care during the first few weeks of their lives. The three key essentials for raising strong baby chicks are warmth, water, and feed. Before bringing home your chicks, it is important to set up a brooder, which is their first home and provides a warm and safe environment. The brooder area should be prepared 24 to 48 hours in advance, with a heat lamp to maintain a temperature of around 92 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week or two. It is crucial to monitor the chicks' behavior to ensure they are comfortable, and the temperature should be gradually decreased by 5 degrees each week. Chicks should have constant access to fresh, room-temperature water to prevent dehydration and chilling. In terms of feed, a complete chick starter feed with at least 18% protein is recommended from day one to support their growth and development. It is important to introduce them to food gradually and ensure good hygiene practices to keep your chicks healthy and happy.
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What You'll Learn
Prepare a brooder area with a heat source
A brooder is a contained area that provides a warm and safe environment for newborn chicks. It is essential to have a brooder area with a heat source prepared before the chicks arrive. The brooder area is usually set up inside a barn, garage, or some type of enclosed building.
The brooder should be assembled 24 to 48 hours before the chicks arrive. This allows time for the bedding and equipment to dry and the temperature to set. The brooder should be comfortable, warm, and draft-free, with at least 3 to 4 square feet of space per chick. The area should be circular and expandable.
The ideal temperature for the brooder is 90 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week to two weeks of the chicks' lives. After the initial period, the temperature can be gradually reduced by 5 degrees each week until a minimum of 55 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit is reached. To monitor the temperature, place a thermometer at floor level. In the absence of a thermometer, observing the chicks' behaviour can indicate whether the temperature is suitable. If the chicks are huddled together under the heat source, they are cold, and if they are moving away from the heat source, they are too hot.
There are several options for heat sources in a brooder. Heat lamps are a popular choice, but they have a reputation for causing fires. An alternative to a heat lamp is a radiant heat panel, which is a safer option. Another option is a drop light with a reflector shield, using a 250-watt heat lamp bulb. The heat source should be hung securely to prevent it from coming loose and falling. Additionally, the wattage of the bulb will determine how high it should be hung, with the bottom of the bulb typically placed about 24 to 30 inches above the bedding.
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Provide a chick starter feed
Providing your newborn chicks with a chick starter feed is essential for their growth and long-term health. Here are some detailed instructions and tips for feeding your chicks:
Choosing the Right Feed
Select a complete chick starter feed that provides all the necessary nutrients for your chicks' early development. Options like Purina® Start & Grow®, Blue Seal's Home Fresh Starter, or Grubbly Farm's Starter Grower are formulated to meet the nutritional needs of growing chicks. These feeds typically include protein, calcium, prebiotics and probiotics, vitamins, and minerals.
Feeding Schedule and Technique
Newborn chicks should have continuous access to starter feed 24/7 during their first few days. They eat in small amounts throughout the day, mimicking natural foraging behaviour. It is important to ensure that the feed trough is easily accessible and at the right height for the chicks to see and reach the feed. An open tray or shallow pans can be good options.
After the chicks have had their first few meals, introduce proper feeders. You can teach them to eat by placing feed on clean egg flats or simple squares of paper. Once they have learned to eat from the feeders, remove the papers or pans.
It is recommended to provide only the chick starter feed for the first 18 weeks. After this period, you may introduce treats and adjust their feed to meet their evolving nutritional needs.
Water and Supplements
Always provide fresh, clean water at room temperature alongside the feed. Ensure the waterer is the correct size for your flock, allowing chicks to drink without tipping it over. The water basin should be high enough to keep the water level between the chick's eye and the height of its back.
Although grit is typically not needed with chick starter feed, it is essential if your chicks are consuming anything other than the recommended feed. Additionally, supplements like probiotic powder, garlic powder, and brewer's yeast can be beneficial to their immune and digestive health.
Brooder Area Setup
Before your chicks arrive, prepare a brooder area with a heat source to create a warm and safe environment. Set up the brooder 24 to 48 hours in advance, ensuring it is comfortable, warm, and draft-free with adequate space per chick. Provide room-temperature water initially, and then maintain a steady supply of fresh water as your chicks grow.
Following these guidelines will help ensure your newborn chicks get a healthy start to their lives and develop into strong, healthy hens.
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Ensure access to water
Water is essential for keeping your newborn chicks healthy. They should have constant access to fresh, clean water at all times. For every 25 chicks, fill two 1-quart waterers with room-temperature water and place them in the brooder. The waterers should be elevated a few inches off the ground to prevent droppings from contaminating them. The waterers should be cleaned daily with warm water and vinegar or another poultry-approved sanitizer.
When choosing a waterer for your chicks, select one with a drinker that is easy to clean. The waterer should be the correct size for your flock's size and age. The basin should be high enough to keep the water level between a chick's eye and the height of its back. This way, a chick drinks more and spills less. Chicks shouldn't be able to roost over or step into the water. To prevent chicks from getting into the water, you can use shallow water dispensers or place marbles or tank rocks into the water foundation base.
Before placing your chicks in the brooder, dip their beaks into the water to encourage them to drink. Chicks will be thirsty when they arrive, and often, baby chick mortality is caused by the chick not starting to eat or drink. Chicks should drink before they start eating to prevent sticky bottoms. The first water given to new chicks should be very warm (90-105°F). The next two days, the water should be warm, and by the third day, it should be at room temperature.
As chicks grow, you will need to increase the number of waterers. For every 100 chicks, provide one 5-gallon fount or install a nipple system.
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Maintain hygiene
Maintaining hygiene is crucial for the health of your newborn chicks. Firstly, ensure that they always have access to clean, room-temperature water. Use shallow water dispensers or place marbles or rocks in the water foundation to prevent chicks from falling in and drowning. Clean water is essential for keeping your chicks healthy and hydrated.
Secondly, provide adequate bedding for your chicks. Pine shavings are a good option, but make sure they are large shavings to prevent the chicks from eating them. Other suitable bedding materials include rice hulls, straw, hay, and ground corn cob. Avoid using sand or cedar shavings, as these are unsafe for chicks. Clean and replace the bedding often—at least three times a week—to prevent the buildup of mess and potential diseases.
Additionally, maintain a clean brooder area. The brooder is the first home of your newborn chicks, and it should be comfortable, warm, and draft-free. Use a brooder area large enough to provide each chick with adequate space, and ensure it is set up at least 24 hours before the chicks arrive to allow for bedding and equipment to dry and the temperature to settle. Keep the brooder area dry and odour-free by removing wet bedding daily, especially around waterers.
Finally, practice good hygiene when handling the chicks. Before placing them in the brooder, dip each chick's beak into the water to help them locate it and start drinking. During the first few days, you can also sprinkle food on paper towels laid on the brooder floor to help them recognize their food. Remove the paper towels once the chicks show interest in the feeder.
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Monitor temperature
Newborn chicks are delicate and require careful temperature monitoring as they cannot regulate their body temperature during their first few weeks of life. They need a constant source of heat, usually provided by a brooder, to survive and grow.
The ideal temperature for a brooder should be around 95°F on the first day and then lowered by 5°F each week. However, some sources recommend a starting temperature of 90°F, which is still within the ideal range for chicks. It is crucial to gradually decrease the temperature by 5°F each week to prevent shocking the chicks' systems.
To monitor the temperature, it is recommended to use a thermometer installed within the brooder. This allows for precise temperature adjustments to ensure the chicks' comfort and health. Additionally, observing the chicks' behaviour can provide valuable insights into whether the temperature is suitable. Cold chicks will huddle together under the heat lamp, while overheated chicks will move as far from the lamp as possible and may be silent, pant, or have drooping heads.
It is important to provide a draft-free environment and ensure adequate space for the chicks to escape the heat if needed. A comfortable chick will explore its surroundings freely and exhibit contented behaviour, such as pecking and making peeping sounds.
By closely monitoring the temperature and observing the chicks' behaviour, you can create an optimal environment for their growth and well-being.
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Frequently asked questions
The ideal temperature for the first week is 95 degrees Fahrenheit. This can be achieved using a heat lamp or a brooder lamp. After the first week, reduce the temperature by 5 degrees Fahrenheit each week until reaching a minimum of 55 degrees.
Newborn chicks should be fed a complete chick starter feed from day one through week 18. The feed should include at least 18% protein, amino acids, prebiotics, probiotics, yeast, vitamins, and minerals. Chicks should stay on a starter or grower ration until they are 4 1/2 to 5 months old.
Always provide clean, fresh water at room temperature. Ensure that the water dispenser is shallow to prevent the chicks from getting wet and chilled or potentially drowning.
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