Caring for Chicks

We all know that chicks are adorable little balls of fluff, but most of those who aquire chicks don't realize that they need a good amount of care.
Here are some basics about chick care:

It is best to be ready for your chicks by setting up their brooder before they get home.

Chick Necessities:

• Brooder. Some type of container or pen for the chicks to live in. Chicks need some space, 1-2sq.ft. each to grow in to.  (I start my chicks in an extra large tote bin & move them in to larger pens as their space requirements and cold hardiness increases.) You also may want to think about how you will cover your brooder with some type of lid because sooner than you'd think those baby chicks are going to try hoppinh out of that brooder

• Bedding. They need something under them. Pick something that is easy to clean/replace. I use pine shaving and replace them at least once a day. 

• Heat Source. Most people use a heat lamp (including me) but there are other options. The Brinsea EcoGlow Brooder is the most common alternative and a great option. (I choose to use the heat lamp with a red light bulb because the red light discourages pecking and the lamp is cheap and more multipurpose.) A thermometer is a nice thing to include to help regulate temperature, but not a necessity 

• Feeder/Waterer. You don't need a fancy feeder, anything would work really. I like to use a recycled egg carton at times. The benefit of purchasing a feeder are not having to replace the food as often and keeping the food a little more poop free. This is my favorite feeder/waterer.You will probably want to get a proper waterer just for ease. Chicks can drown easily so an open container of water isn't the safest. 

• Food. Chicks need 'chick starter' feed. It has the proper amount of protein and nutrients that a chick needs and is easily digested. (We feed our chicks Scratch and Peck Chick Starter. This brand of feed is more expensive than others, but we choose it because it is organic, Non-GMO and soy free.) If you give your chicks anything else to eat then you will also want to have Chick Grit available.

What do you do when you get your chicks home?

1. Open the box immediately.
2. Check each chick individually as you transfer them to their brooder. You are mainly checking their fluffy rear areas for a pastey bum. 
• If a chick appears to have poop shmeared on his/her butt then it needs cleaning. Simply wipe the bum with a warm damp cloth, dry it & apply a little bit of olive oil to the vent. Check frequently throughout the first week for pastey butts. 
3. Make sure they are drinking water. If they don't seem to be then you can dip their beaks into the water to show them where it is. 
4. Leave them alone! You really need to give your chicks a few hours to settle down and relax. Check on them frequently, but don't handle them too much. 

Temperature.

Chicks can't regulate their own body temperature well in the early weeks. A heat source is crucial to your chicks survival.

Temperature needs vary from week to week.
week 1 - 90-95 degrees
week 2 - 85-90 degrees
week 3 - 80-85 degrees
week 4 - 75-80 degrees
week 5 - 70-75 degrees
week 6 - 65-70 degrees

You can tell if your chicks are warm enough by their behavior.
If they huddle up together they are too cold.
If they are holding their wings open and panting they are too hot.
If they are scampering around happily in their brooder then they are just right!

Cleanliness.

It is so important to keep your chicks brooder dry and clean. It's promote health and discourages pests and parasitic infections.
Clean their brooder often! Pick up any bedding they gets wet.
Check that they have a constant supply of fresh water! They will push bits of pine shavings in to their water dish that will need to be removed nearly non stop. Placing the waterer up on a board or block helps very much with this.
Wash your hands before and after you handle the chicks.

Enjoy!

Chicks are adorable and hilarious. They have great personalities and their social interactions with one another are so entertaining. But, chicks grow SO quickly! enjoy the tiny, fluffy stage. You will be astonished at how quickly your baby chicks will start to resemble and act like "real chickens". Take great care of your chicks and you will enjoy all of the benefits of having healthy happy chickens in no time.

Here are a few great books to help get you started and keep you informed about your chickens needs.