Baby Chick Care 101: What to Do When You Bring Them Home

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Bringing home baby chicks is an exciting step for any aspiring backyard chicken keeper. These tiny, chirping fluff balls are not only adorable but also the foundation of your future flock. However, proper care during their early days is crucial to ensure they grow into healthy, happy chickens. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about baby chick care, from setting up a chick brooder to providing the essentials for their well-being.

Photo by Jason Leung on Unsplash

Preparing for Baby Chicks

Before you bring your baby chicks home, it’s essential to prepare a safe and welcoming environment for them. This involves creating a proper setup and gathering all the necessary supplies.

Setting Up a Chick Brooder

A brooder is a secure space where your chicks will stay warm, eat, sleep, and grow until they are ready to transition to an outdoor coop. Here’s what you’ll need:

1. Container: Use a large, sturdy box, plastic tote, or specialized brooder. Ensure it’s spacious enough for the chicks to move freely without overcrowding.

2. Heat Source: Baby chicks need consistent warmth. A heat lamp or brooder plate set to maintain temperatures between 90°F and 95°F in their first week is ideal. Lower the temperature by 5°F each week as they grow.

3. Bedding: Line the bottom of the brooder with an absorbent material like pine shavings or straw. Avoid slippery surfaces, such as newspaper, as they can cause splayed legs.

4. Thermometer: Place a thermometer in the brooder to monitor the temperature accurately.

5. Food and Water Stations: Equip the brooder with a chick feeder and waterer designed to prevent spills and contamination.

Newborn Chick Essentials

Stock up on the following items to ensure your chicks’ needs are met:

• Chick Starter Feed: Provide a high-quality, medicated or non-medicated chick starter feed that contains at least 18-20% protein. Avoid feeding chicks scraps or grains not specifically formulated for their dietary needs.
• Clean Water: Always keep fresh, clean water available. Consider adding a chick electrolyte mix to their water during the first few days to boost hydration.
• Grit (Optional): If you plan to introduce treats early, provide chick grit to aid digestion.

Bringing Chicks Home

Photo by Afra Ramió on Unsplash

When your chicks arrive, they’ll likely be a bit stressed from the journey. Take the following steps to help them settle in smoothly:

Inspect Each Chick

Carefully inspect each chick for signs of health issues. Healthy chicks are alert, active, and have clean, fluffy down. Look for:

• Clear eyes and nostrils
• No signs of pasty butt (fecal buildup around the vent)
• Smooth movement without limping

Introduce Them to the Brooder

Place the chicks gently into the brooder, showing them where the food and water are located. Dip each chick’s beak lightly into the water to teach them how to drink.

Monitor Their Behavior

Observe how the chicks interact with their environment:

• Huddled Together Under the Heat Source: They may be too cold. Lower the heat source or increase its temperature.
• Spreading Out Away from the Heat Source: They may be too warm. Raise the heat source or lower its temperature.
• Active and Evenly Distributed: This indicates a comfortable environment.

Daily Baby Chick Care

Consistency is key when it comes to caring for baby chicks. Incorporate the following tasks into your daily routine:

Feeding and Hydration

• Check Food and Water Levels: Refill feeders and waterers as needed. Ensure there is always clean water and fresh feed available.
• Monitor Eating and Drinking: Watch for signs that chicks are eating and drinking regularly. If a chick isn’t eating or drinking, it may require special attention.

Cleanliness

• Remove Waste: Clean the brooder daily to remove droppings and wet bedding. This helps prevent odor and disease.
• Replace Bedding: Change bedding regularly to maintain a dry and hygienic environment.

Health Checks

• Inspect Chicks: Look for signs of illness, such as lethargy, pasty butt, or unusual behavior.
• Address Pasty Butt: If a chick has pasty butt, gently clean the area with a warm, damp cloth and dry thoroughly to prevent further issues.

Socializing Your Chicks

Photo by Daniel Tuttle on Unsplash

Chicks are naturally curious and social creatures. Interact with them regularly to help them become accustomed to human presence:

• Handle Gently: Pick up chicks carefully, supporting their bodies to avoid causing stress.
• Talk to Them: Speak softly when you’re near the brooder to help them recognize your voice.
• Introduce Enrichment: Add small objects, like a low perch or mirror, to stimulate their curiosity and encourage natural behaviors.

When to Transition to the Coop

Chicks are ready to move to their outdoor coop when they’re fully feathered, usually between 6-8 weeks old. Before transitioning them, ensure the coop is predator-proof, weatherproof, and equipped with proper ventilation, nesting boxes, and roosting bars.

Gradual Introduction

To ease the transition:

1. Short Outdoor Visits: Allow the chicks to spend short periods outside in a secure area during the day.

2. Adjust to Outdoor Temperatures: Reduce the heat in their brooder gradually to help them acclimate.

Introducing to an Existing Flock

If you already have an established flock, introduce the chicks slowly to minimize pecking order disputes. Use a "see but don’t touch" method by keeping the chicks separated but visible to the older birds for a few days before allowing direct interaction.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Despite your best efforts, challenges may arise. Here are some common problems and how to address them:

Pasty Butt

• Cause: Stress, dehydration, or improper diet.
• Solution: Clean the vent area gently and ensure the chicks have access to clean water and proper feed.

Lethargy

• Cause: Illness, cold, or lack of nutrition.
• Solution: Check the temperature of the brooder, provide electrolytes in their water, and observe for additional symptoms.

Pecking

• Cause: Overcrowding, boredom, or nutritional deficiencies.
• Solution: Ensure adequate space, introduce enrichment, and confirm their diet meets nutritional needs.

Raising Healthy, Happy Chicks

Caring for baby chicks can be a rewarding experience, but it requires dedication and attention to detail. By providing the right environment, meeting their dietary and health needs, and offering plenty of care and interaction, you’ll set your chicks up for success as they grow into thriving members of your backyard flock.

With proper baby chick care, you’ll soon enjoy the satisfaction of raising happy, healthy chickens that will bring joy (and fresh eggs!) to your life.