How to Feed a Pet Chick

After you've done the research and determined that a pet chick is for you, keep in mind the importance of nourishment. Just like cats and dogs, pet chicks need proper nutrition to grow and become healthy adults. The first several days are the most critical, so be prepared to provide your pet chick with a nutritious breed- and age-appropriate diet from day one.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Plastic or galvanized steel chick feeder
• Plastic or galvanized steel chick waterer
• Chick starter feed
• Sand or parakeet gravel

1. Fill your feeder with "chick starter" feed for the first 3 weeks, then switch to "chick grower" feed. Both are available at pet and farm supply stores.

2. Do not fill the feeder more than half full, as your chick will waste a lot of food while using the feeder. Do not worry about rationing or measuring food, however, as chicks are self-regulating and will only eat what they need.

3. Sprinkle a small amount of sand or parakeet gravel (as if you were salting your food) on the chick feed. Chicks do not have teeth to grind their food, and the grit aids in digestion.

4. Feed your chick an occasional treat, such as meal worms, table scraps or bread. Remember that this should not be their main source of nourishment, but is more like dessert.

5. Keep your chick waterer filled with clean, fresh water, as chicks drink frequently. Water is essential for proper digestion and retention of nutrients.

6. Learn more about caring for chicks at Mypetchicken.com (see Resources below).

Tips & Warnings

• Regularly clean your chick's feeder and waterer, as they can quickly become unsanitary and become breeding grounds for disease.
• If your chick seems confused by the provided feeder, pour a small pile of food into the corner of the cage to encourage your pet to eat until it get the hang of using a feeder.
• Avoid using a bowl as your primary means of providing food, as chicks are very messy and will spread food around and defecate into the bowl. Provide your chick with a feeder designed to keep food in and poop out.
• Chicks that are delivered by mail are highly stressed. While they should begin eating and drinking right away, they may be too traumatized. Gently dipping their beaks into the food and water can help give them the right idea.

Resources

• Learn more about feeding and caring for chicks at Mypetchicken.com.