How to Care for Baby Chicks

Got some baby chicks? Lucky you!

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Warming box
• feeder
• Waterer
• Grit
• Whole grain food
• Some sort of bedding

1. HOW TO HANDLE: Don't pick up the chickies very much. Handling them a lot may injure them. When picking them up, slip one hand under the chick's tummy, and put the other hand on top of the chick to hold it gently. They may squirm, so hold them firmly.

2. GET THEM WARM: If you do not have a warming box (should be around 90 degrees, F)place the chicks in an open box in a warm oven. Just remember not to cook them.

3. WATER: Get the chicks water in a heavy, low bowl that they can't tip over, or a waterer that you can buy at a Feed Store. They must have clean water at all times.

4. FOOD: If you don't have chicken feed, you can use instant oatmeal, flaked infant cereal, or other whole-grain cereals. You can put whole grains (rice, wheat, barley, old-fashioned oats, anything) into the blender and blend. Please don't blend it completely to a powder because chicks like the feed to have some gritty chunks in it. They must have feed with them at all times. Don't worry: if they're are full, they'll stop eating.

5. MAKE THEM A WARMING BOX: You don't want to keep them in the oven all the time. To make a warming box, you can use a hanging light bulb with a wire cage around it (from the hardware store), or perhaps a heating pad wrapped in flannel material on the floor of the box.
   
   Insulate the warming box to keep away the cold. Styrofoam will insulate the box well. Around every side of the box place the thick insulation. They will eat styrofoam if you let them, so don't use it where they can get it.
   
   Use a thermometer to tell whether the temperature in the box is correct. It should be around 90 degrees F.
   
   Stick a dowl of a wooden perch in one of the wall so the chicks can play on it.
   
   Line their warming box with either dry leaves, saw dust, or shredded paper. Make sure all these things are dry and free of bugs and pesticides. The chicks love rooting around in their bedding so give them alot. Keep their food and water up out of the bedding with a cement of wooden block. These blocks can also be a little platform for your chick to stand on. I suggest dry leaves, or dry alfalfa for the bedding. It will compress down but still remain "fluffy."
   
   Throw some grit into the cage - your chicks will love it. =]

6. HAVE FUN WITH THEM! =]

Resources

• Chick Information

[bratmadgirl]

on 9/11/2009 How can u tell the differnce between a baby chick and a baby rooster?

[tempted]

on 8/6/2009 aww great information