Caring For Your Newborn Chick: A Quick Guide

Raising a two-day-old chick is not a complicated task, but it does require careful attention to their needs. Before the chick arrives, it is important to prepare a brooder area with a heat source. This area should be draft-free, with a temperature maintained between 90-95°F for the first week, and then reduced by 5°F each week until the chick is 6 weeks old. A red heat lamp is commonly used, but it can be dangerous and expensive. Instead, consider safer alternatives such as radiant heat plates or an oil-filled space heater. Chicks need constant access to clean, room-temperature water to stay hydrated, and shallow water dispensers can prevent accidental drowning. Feed the chick a starter feed with a minimum of 18% protein, and gradually reduce the amount of feed in the trough each day to avoid wastage. It is also important to regularly check the chick's bottom for pasty butt, a potentially fatal condition where droppings stick to their vents. Overall, by providing a warm, safe, and clean environment with adequate food and water, you can successfully care for a two-day-old chick.

Provide a brooder area with a heat source

A brooder area is a contained space that provides a warm and safe environment for raising chicks. It is best to prepare this area 24 hours before the chicks arrive. You can purchase a brooder or build your own. The brooder area is usually set up inside a barn, garage, or enclosed building.

The brooder area should be draft-free and have a heat source. A heat lamp with a red bulb is commonly used, but it can be dangerous, expensive, disruptive, and unhealthy. It is recommended to use a radiant heat option, such as a heating plate, or an oil-filled space heater in a small bathroom. The ideal temperature for the first week is between 90 and 95°F (33°C), with the temperature decreasing by 5°F each week until the chicks are 6 weeks old. You can adjust the temperature by changing the distance of the light or using a bulb with a different wattage.

A drop light with a reflector shield is another good source of heat. The wattage of the bulb will determine how high you hang the light. The bottom of the bulb should be about 24 to 30 inches above the bedding. Place a thermometer at floor level to ensure the proper temperature.

Chicks will also need access to water and food at all times. Shallow water dispensers should be used to prevent the chicks from getting wet and chilled. The water should be at room temperature. The feeding trough should be low enough for the chicks to see and reach the feed.

Keep the temperature between 90-95°F for the first week

Keeping the temperature between 90-95°F (32-35°C) for the first week is important for the health and comfort of your chicks. This temperature range is crucial as it provides a warm and safe environment for them to grow and thrive.

To achieve this ideal temperature, you can use a brooder, which is a contained area specifically designed for raising chicks. It is recommended to set up the brooder 24 hours before the chicks arrive. You can purchase a poultry brooder or build your own. The brooder area is usually set up inside a barn, garage, or enclosed building. Make sure there is enough space for the chicks to move away from the heat source if they get too warm.

A heat lamp is commonly used as a heat source, but it can be dangerous and expensive. Instead, consider using a radiant heating option, such as a warming pad or a radiant heat plate, which is safer and healthier for the chicks. You can also place the brooder in a small bathroom and turn up the thermostat for the first few days.

To monitor the heat, pay attention to the behaviour of your chicks. If they are panting and huddling in corners away from the light, the temperature is too high. On the other hand, if they huddle together directly under the light, they are too cold. You can adjust the temperature by changing the distance of the light or using bulbs with different wattages.

Additionally, ensure that the brooder is draft-free to maintain the desired temperature. Install a draft guard around the brooder to prevent drafts from affecting the chicks.

Use a red bulb to reduce pecking

Chicks require a warm environment, and a heat lamp is often used to provide this. However, a heat lamp with a red bulb has an additional benefit: it can help to reduce pecking. Pecking is a natural behaviour in chicks, but it can sometimes lead to injury or even cannibalism. Using a red bulb can help mitigate this issue.

Firstly, the red light makes it harder for chicks to see blood, which may reduce their tendency to peck at wounds. Under white light, any bloody spots immediately attract pecking, and chicks will efficiently and aggressively peck each other, which can lead to death. By reducing the visibility of blood, the red bulb can help to prevent this.

Secondly, the red light can help to reduce stress in chicks. The red light frequency has a calming effect, which may lead to less aggressive behaviour, including pecking. A calmer environment can also help to reduce the risk of injury and cannibalism.

However, it is important to note that while a red bulb can help, it may not completely eliminate pecking. Some chicken keepers have reported that their flocks continued to display aggressive pecking behaviour even with the use of a red bulb. Nonetheless, it is still recommended as a helpful tool in managing pecking and promoting calmer behaviour in chicks.

Overall, when caring for a 2-day-old chick, using a red bulb in conjunction with a heat lamp can be beneficial. It provides warmth while also helping to reduce the visibility of blood and promoting a calmer environment, which can lead to less pecking and a healthier flock. However, it is important to be mindful of the potential risks associated with heat lamps and consider safer alternatives, such as radiant heat plates or oil-filled space heaters. The behaviour of the chicks is a good indicator of their comfort, and adjustments can be made accordingly to ensure a happy and healthy flock.

Keep food and water close by

Keeping food and water close by is essential when caring for a 2-day-old chick. Here are some detailed instructions to help you with this process:

Firstly, ensure that you have the right equipment. You will need a feeder and waterer designed for baby chicks. These can be purchased or acquired before the arrival of your chicks. Clean your waterers and feeders before use. If you're using quart-jar waterers, give them a thorough clean. If you're using trough feeders, fill them with chick feed, but be sure to reduce the amount of feed slightly each day, as a full trough can lead to waste.

Next, create a comfortable feeding area. Spread a 4-inch layer of pine shavings on the floor to provide a dry, warm, and clean environment. Avoid using shredded paper or fine wood shavings, as these can cause respiratory issues. Cover the pine shavings with several layers of newspaper, and scatter chick feed on top. This setup will help prevent a condition called "pasty butt," which is caused by droppings sticking to the chick's vent and requires careful cleaning to resolve.

Keep the waterers and feeders close to the chicks at all times. Make sure the water is at room temperature to prevent chilling, and consider adding Organic Apple Cider Vinegar to the water to prevent "pasty butt." Shallow water dispensers or marbles/tank rocks in the water foundation can also prevent chicks from accidentally submerging themselves and getting chilled.

Monitor the chicks' behaviour to ensure they are eating and drinking enough. Happy chicks are usually quiet and dispersed throughout the brooder. If you notice any unusual behaviour, such as panting or staying away from the heat source, adjust the temperature accordingly.

Finally, maintain excellent hygiene standards. Spot-clean the bedding daily and change it entirely every 2-3 days to prevent the buildup of harmful germs and diseases like Coccidiosis, which thrives in damp environments. Always wash your hands thoroughly after handling the chicks or their equipment to prevent the spread of any potential germs.

Check for 'pasty butt' and clean if necessary

"Pasty butt" is a common condition in chicks where droppings stick to their vents and clog them up, which makes it impossible for them to relieve themselves. If left untreated, this situation can be fatal. Pasty butt can be caused by stress from travel, overheating, cold, or something they have eaten.

All chicks should be checked for pasty butt upon arrival and every few hours during the first two weeks. If you find that a chick has a pasty bottom, soak and carefully remove the plug, then gently rub the area dry. You can use a warm water dip, or a damp washcloth or paper towel to loosen and remove the caked-on droppings, being careful not to pull as the skin can tear.

After cleaning and drying the vent area, apply a small amount of petroleum jelly, vegetable oil, or triple antibiotic ointment to prevent further sticking. To prevent pasty butt, you can also add Organic ACV (apple cider vinegar) to their drinking water at a ratio of 3-4 tablespoons per gallon of water.

If several chicks develop pasty butt after a few days in the brooder, the temperature may be too high, and adjustments should be made. According to The Chicken Health Handbook, to remedy pasty butt, feed scrambled eggs with some of their starter feed and if it clears things up, switch brands of feed.

Frequently asked questions