How to Care for Baby Chicks - Week by Week (2024)

To care for baby chicks, maintain their temperature, feed and water them daily, clean their living space, and monitor their health weekly. Raising baby chicks is a great experience for many, but it requires a lot of dedication and attention.

If you want to give your baby chicks the best start, you need to follow a proper routine. As the weeks pass by, your chicks will grow and develop, and their needs will change. In this guide, we’ll go through all you need to know about caring for baby chicks and how to make sure they grow into healthy adult birds.

We’ll cover everything from preparing for their arrival to raising them throughout their first six weeks of life.

Preparations Before Your Chicks Arrive

It’s exciting to bring home your adorable baby chicks. However, it’s important to prepare before their arrival to ensure they have a warm and comfortable environment suitable for their growth. We will look at everything you need to know and do before bringing baby chicks home.

What Do You Need To Know Before Getting Chickens?

Before purchasing chickens, there are a few crucial things to consider:

Check with your local authorities about zoning ordinances, permits, and restrictions before keeping chickens in your backyard.
Determine the number of chicks you want to keep based on your backyard’s size, family size, and egg usage.
Learn about the different breeds of chickens and their suitability for your needs.

What Supplies You Must Have To Care For Your Chicks?

Before getting baby chicks, ensure you have the necessary supplies to take care of them, such as:

A brooder: A heated space where your baby chicks can grow. It could be a cardboard box or a specially designed brooder.
Heat lamp and bulb: Baby chicks rely on warmth to survive, so it is essential to keep them warm with a heat lamp and bulb. The temperature should be about 95°f in the brooder for the first week, lowered by 5°f weekly until week five when they can regulate their body temperature.
Bedding: Use absorbent bedding materials to keep your chicks warm and dry, such as pine shavings, straw, or paper towels.
Feeder and waterer: Chicks must have access to clean water and chick starter feed from day one.
Thermometer: To ensure your chicks’ comfort, keep track of the brooder temperature regularly.

Setting Up The Brooder: A Warm, Safe Home For Your Baby Chicks

After obtaining the essentials, it’s time to set up your brooder and create a warm, safe space for your chicks. Here’s how:

Week 1: The First Week Of Caring

How To Introduce Your Chicks To Their New Home?

Congratulations on the arrival of your new baby chicks! The first thing you need to do is introduce them to their new home. Here’s how:

Keep the chicks in their transport box for the first 24 hours to help them adjust.
Make sure their brooder is clean and disinfected before bringing them inside.
Provide plenty of space for them to move around, while being careful not to overcrowd them.
Place the chicks under a heat lamp so they can get accustomed to their surroundings.

Temperature Regulation: Keeping Your Chicks Warm

Your baby chicks need to be kept warm during their first week. Here’s how to regulate their temperature:

Keep the brooder temperature at 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week.
Gradually decrease the temperature by 5 degrees each week until the chicks reach four weeks old.
Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature.
Make sure that the chicks have a comfortable place to rest, and that they are not huddled together too closely.

Feeding Your Chicks: Water And Their First Feed

Your baby chicks need fresh water and food as soon as they arrive. Here’s what you need to know:

Fill your water container with clean, fresh water. Make sure the chicks can drink without difficulty, but be careful not to let them get wet.
Provide chick starter feed so that the baby chicks can get all the nutrients they need.
Sprinkle the feed on a paper towel for the first day or two, before putting it in a feeder. This will help them learn to eat properly.
Clean the feeder and water daily to prevent the build-up of bacteria.

Remember, caring for baby chicks requires patience and meticulous attention to detail. Follow these tips for an easy and stress-free first week, and your chicks will be sure to thrive.

Week 2-3: Growing And Thriving

How To Care For Baby Chicks – Week By Week

Raising baby chicks can be a fulfilling and rewarding experience, but it requires knowledge and effort. As your chicks grow, their needs change and it’s essential to adapt accordingly. We’ll explore the second and third weeks of caring for baby chicks, focusing on critical aspects such as nutrition, light exposure, early environmental exposure, and socialization.

Feeding Your Chicks: Proper Nutrition And Feeding Schedule

During weeks 2-3, your chicks’ diet is essential for healthy growth and development. Here are some key points to keep in mind when it comes to feeding your chicks:

How Much Is Needed And Why It Matters?

Your chicks need proper light exposure to regulate their circadian rhythms and develop healthy bones. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

Continue to provide around 12-14 hours of light each day using a heat lamp or natural sunlight. As they get older, gradually reduce the amount of light by 30 minutes per week.
Ensure that the light source is not too close or too far from the chicks. Adjust the distance based on their behavior; if they huddle under the lamp, it’s too cold, and if they avoid it, it’s too hot.
Avoid using red-colored bulbs, as it can cause aggressive behavior or affect their eyesight.

Early Environmental Exposure And Socialization

During weeks 2-3, your chicks need exposure to various environments and socialization to new experiences. Here are some key points to keep in mind:

Allow your chicks to explore areas outside of their brooder, such as a playpen or supervised outdoor area, for short periods up to 30 minutes a day.
Introduce new objects, such as a mirror or a small branch, to stimulate and challenge your chicks’ curiosity and instincts.
Handle your chicks gently and encourage them to perch on your hand. Spend time with them daily, creating a bond that will benefit their long-term health and well-being.

By following these essential tips, you can ensure that your chicks stay healthy and thrive during their second and third weeks. Remember to monitor their behavior and adjust accordingly. With proper care and attention, your chicks will grow into beautiful and productive chickens.

Week 4-6: Development And Maturity

By week 4, your baby chicks are growing and maturing quickly. It’s important to continue providing them the best possible care. This is also an exciting time because your chicks are getting ready to move to their new outdoor home.

Below are some important points to ponder:

Moving Your Chicks: Preparing For The Transition To The Outdoors

Gradual transition: Moving your chicks to their outdoor home should be a gradual process. It’s not recommended to place them outside in extreme weather or all at once. The gradual movement will help prevent shocks to their bodies and amplify the chances of adapting to their new environment.
Outdoor home preparation: Before moving your chicks outside, make sure their outdoor home is ready. It should be dry, draft-free, and spacious enough for each chick to have plenty of room. You may use a heat lamp for the first few days after the transition and ensure their water and feed are clean, fresh and easily accessible.
Predators protection: Remember, your chicks may be threatened by predators such as snakes, foxes, cats and hawks. So, ensure your outdoor home has proper protection, including secure fencing or netting to prevent the entry of other animals.

Keeping Your Chicks Healthy: Common Health Issues And Prevention Strategies

Dirty brooder blues: By the fourth week, chicks are rapidly growing, even creating more poop. Clean their brooder more often to prevent any health issues and keep it dry to avoid contamination from moisture.
Feeding precautions and techniques: Feeding chicks at this stage requires more protein and less chick starter. Treats should be included too, but not too frequently. Also, chicks should be allowed to eat as much as they want before removing food from their brooder.
Adequate water: Water is a crucial part of chickens’ diet. It is highly recommended to sanitize and refill their water daily and even more if the weather is hot. Water must be at room temperature to prevent dehydration.

Preparing Your Chicks For Life Beyond The Brooder

Encouragement to explore: Once your chicks are outside, start introducing them to new outdoor spaces. This will help them learn the valuable life skills they need, such as foraging and scratching at the ground to look for food. You can also introduce them to other animals such as full-grown chickens to help them establish relationships.
Growing up: As your chicks grow, they may progressively venture farther from the brooder. You may add new bedding to their area to assist them in discovering their environment. Also, you may remove the heat lamp when they no longer need it.
Watchful eye: Keep a close watch on your chicks as they grow and mature, particularly during their initial outdoor adventures. Make sure their wings are clipped and keep an eye on their environment to ensure their housing and feeding system is safe and secure.

Follow these tips, and you will soon have grown and matured chicks who are ready for an outdoor life beyond the brooder.

Frequently Asked Questions

How Do I Keep Baby Chicks Warm During Their First Week?

Baby chicks require a temperature of 90-95f in their first week. Keep them in a warm area and use a heat lamp.

What Should I Feed My Baby Chicks In Their Second Week?

Start feeding them with a chick starter feed that has a protein content of at least 18%. You can also add chopped vegetables.

How Often Should I Clean My Baby Chick’S Brooder?

Clean their brooder area every day or as needed. Change their bedding and remove any wet spots to prevent mold growth.

How Can I Prevent My Baby Chicks From Getting Sick?

Ensure that their brooder area is clean and dry, and provide them with fresh clean water at all times. Quarantine any sick chicks immediately.

When Can I Move My Baby Chicks From The Brooder To The Coop?

Wait until they are 6-8 weeks old and fully feathered before moving them to the coop. Gradually introduce them to the outdoor temperature.

What Should I Do If My Baby Chicks Start Pecking Each Other?

Provide them with enough space to move around and add more distractions in their environment, such as branches or mirrors. Separate any injured chicks immediately.

How Do I Know If My Baby Chicks Are Getting Enough Water?

Check their water source multiple times a day and ensure it’s clean. Observe them and see if they’re drinking water regularly.

What Should I Do If My Baby Chicks Stop Eating?

Check their brooder temperature, bedding, and water source. Offer them food with a different texture or temperature, or try adding vitamins or electrolytes to their water. If the issue persists, consult a veterinarian.

Conclusion

By following these tips for caring for your baby chicks week by week, you’ll provide them with a healthy and happy start in life. Remember to offer enough space, water, light, and food for them to thrive. Keep their brooder clean and cozy, and handle them often to promote socialization.

Watch for any signs of illness, as swift action can save your chick’s life. Above all, enjoy this special time with your little feathered friends. It won’t be long until they outgrow their brooder and begin their life outside. With patience and dedication, you’ll have healthy and happy chickens in no time.

Good luck, and happy chickening!