How to Take Care of Baby Chicks

Baby chicks are the cutest little creatures. They're fluffy balls of cheeping entertainment and it's fun to watch them grow day by day. As long as their basic needs are met, they will thrive and bring joy to your life. Baby chicks are usually available for sale at feed stores everywhere from early spring through the summer months; all breeds will be available depending on where you live. You may want to raise a turkey or two for the holidays or maybe you just want fresh hen's eggs from your backyard. Whatever your reason for raising chicks, this article will point you in the right direction on the care of your chicks.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Big box (cardboard works well)
• Heat lamp or 100-watt light bulb
• Chick starter granules
• Chick waterer
• Wood shavings or straw for bedding material

1. Prepare your chicks' home before you go to pick them up or they get delivered. They will need at least two inches of bedding material beneath them; this can be wood shavings or straw or any other kind of bedding material--your choice. The box should be draft-free and cardboard is always a good choice.

2. Suspend a 100-watt light bulb set in a reflective housing unit to radiate heat efficiently above the cardboard box to keep the chicks warm. A temp of 90 degrees has to be maintained during the critical first week, then a few degrees cooler each week until they get their head-feathers.

3. Buy a chick waterer. This is by far the most efficient method of watering your chicks as saucers or other make-shift containers spill easily making the brooder wet and unsanitary for the chicks. Simply fill the chick waterer up every day to ensure the chicks have continuous access to water.

4. Buy feed for the chicks. Chick starter granules are ideal for your chicks' first food. Sprinkle some on the floor of the brooder and allow the chicks to scratch and peck just like the big boys do. Continue to feed the starter granules for eight weeks. Then switch to chick grower. Do not feed "scratch" feed as it doesn't contain all the nutrients the chicks need for maintenance and healthy growth.

5. Observe your chicks closely. When your chicks first arrive home, watch them for anything out of the ordinary. Closed eyes, lethargy and drooping wings raises red flags and the affected chick should be removed from the others and observed carefully in a separate box of his own.

Tips & Warnings

• Keep the brooder clean and sanitary.
• Always feed free choice and water free choice.
• Always maintain the correct temperature in the brooder.

Resources

• Care of Chicks
• Emergency Chick Care
• Chick Care Information

[painthorse42]

on 10/4/2008 I love chicks! Our local Tractor Supply sells them certain seasons, they're adorable!