Lucas Delgado
Raising chicks is an exciting milestone in keeping backyard chickens, but it can be overwhelming for first-time chick parents. With the right preparation and care, your chicks can grow into happy and healthy adults. From setting up a brooder to teaching them to eat and drink, there's a lot to consider when they first arrive. As they grow, you'll need to adjust their environment and diet to meet their changing needs. This guide will cover everything you need to know to care for your chicks week by week.
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What You'll Learn
Week 1: Set up a brooder with a heat lamp, thermometer, and water
During the first week, your chicks will be adjusting to their new environment. It is important to set up a brooder, which is a warm and safe area for your chicks to live in until they are ready to move to the coop. The brooder should be set up before the chicks arrive, ideally 24 to 48 hours in advance, to allow time for the bedding and equipment to dry and for the temperature to settle.
The brooder should be placed in a draft-free box or fenced enclosure, providing enough space for the chicks to move around comfortably. Aim for 3/4 sqft to 1 sqft per chick. It is best to set up the brooder in a garage or enclosed building, as chicks can create a lot of dust and their droppings can be unsafe to breathe.
To keep the brooder warm, you will need a heat lamp. Hang the heat lamp about 20 inches above the litter, with 2.5 to 3 feet between the lamp and the guard walls. The temperature under the heat lamp should be maintained at around 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and there should be enough room for the chicks to move away from the heat source if necessary. A thermometer placed at floor level can help you monitor the temperature.
In addition to the heat lamp, you will also need to set up water and food for your chicks. Water should be available at all times and should be at room temperature to prevent chicks from getting chilled while drinking. It is important to use chick waterers or a chick fountain, as saucers or makeshift containers can easily spill. To encourage drinking, tap your finger in the water or dip the chick's beak into the water when you first introduce them to the brooder. Clean water is essential, so check the water several times a day to ensure it is full and not contaminated with droppings.
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Week 2: Adjust the brooder temperature and add more space
By week two, your chicks should be more active and growing quickly. It is time to adjust the temperature in the brooder to around 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Newly hatched chicks cannot control their body temperature in the first few weeks of life, so it is essential that they have a source of heat. You can determine if the temperature in the brooder is suitable for the chicks' health by observing their behaviour. Chicks that are cold will huddle together under the heat lamp, while those that are too warm will move as far from the lamp as the brooder ring will allow. If the brooder area is drafty, the chicks will move to one side of the brooder in an attempt to escape the draft while still keeping warm. When the temperature is just right, the chicks will be evenly distributed within the brooder area, softly chirping and pecking around.
In addition to adjusting the brooder temperature, week two is also a good time to provide more space for your chicks to exercise and stretch their wings. Ensure that they have enough space to move around comfortably and that they are not overcrowded. Provide them with a draft-free box or fenced enclosure. As they get bigger, you will need to provide larger feeders and more space at the feed and water sources to allow all the chicks to eat or drink at the same time.
You can start introducing your chicks to outside time, but it is important to ensure that their environment doesn't drop below about 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
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Week 3: Watch for feather growth and provide perching space
By week three, your chicks should be growing well and their adult feathers will be starting to replace their fluffy down. You will notice their feathers growing in, and they will be getting more adventurous and keen to explore their surroundings.
At this stage, it is important to provide perching space for your chicks. They can begin to perch and roost at three weeks old, and adding a roosting perch will help them sleep comfortably. Each chick should have about 4 inches of space on a perch, which should be low to the ground to prevent injury if they fall off. If you are using a heated perch, be sure to check it regularly to ensure it does not get too hot and burn the chicks' feet.
Your chicks will still need to be kept warm, but not as warm as in previous weeks. The brooder temperature should be lowered to around 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The chicks will still be growing rapidly, so make sure they have plenty of food and water. You can also start to introduce grit to their diet to help with digestion.
Chicks need plenty of space to exercise and stretch their wings, and they may even be ready for some outside time. They will still be growing, so ensure they have at least 0.75 square feet of brooder space each.
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Week 4: Lower the brooder temperature and introduce grit
By week four, your chicks should be fully feathered and ready to transition to a cooler environment. Lower the brooder temperature to around 80 degrees Fahrenheit (26.7 degrees Celsius). The chicks will still be growing rapidly, so ensure they have plenty of food and water.
At this stage, the chicks will continue to feather out, and their adult feathers will start to replace their fluffy down. You may notice them becoming more adventurous and exploring their surroundings. They no longer need a heat lamp, as long as their environment doesn't drop below 60 degrees Fahrenheit (15.5 degrees Celsius). Provide ample space for them to exercise and stretch their wings, and consider allowing them to spend some time outdoors.
During week four, it is also recommended to start introducing grit to their diet to aid digestion. You can do this by sprinkling a small amount of grit on their food every other day. If your chicks are eating commercial chick starter feed exclusively, they may not need grit until they start eating other treats. However, if you are offering treats like mealworms or crickets, grit is essential to support their digestion.
It is important to closely monitor the chicks' behaviour to ensure they are adjusting well to the temperature change and the introduction of grit. Healthy chicks will be evenly distributed within the brooder area, softly chirping and pecking around. If they appear to be huddling together, it may indicate they are too cold, and the temperature may need to be adjusted.
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Week 5: Transition to grower feed and increase space again
By week five, your chicks will be growing rapidly and will be ready for a new diet and more space.
Transition to Grower Feed
By now, your chicks should be fully feathered and ready for a change in diet. You should transition them to grower feed, which is designed for chicks aged 8-18 weeks. This feed will meet their evolving nutritional needs as they continue to grow.
Increase Space
Your chicks will need more space to accommodate their increasing size and activity levels. If you haven't already, now is the time to move them to the coop, especially if the nighttime temperatures are above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. In their new space, they should have at least 1.5 to 2 square feet per bird. Ensure their new environment is safe from predators and that they have access to fresh food and water at all times.
Other Tips for Week Five
- Continue to monitor their health and behaviour.
- Provide roosting poles or bricks for them to perch on, keeping them a few inches off the ground.
- Keep their bedding dry and odour-free by removing wet bedding daily, especially around waterers.
- If your chicks have not been vaccinated for coccidiosis, you should continue to use medicated feed to prevent this condition.
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