Care Tips For Baby Chicks

Instructions

1. Use a Agrimaster® Chicken Starter / Grower for the first 8 weeks. Sprinkle feed on a piece of cardboard in the area where the chicks will be. This way the chicks find the feed more easily from the start. Continue this routine for a few days. Then put the feed in troughs low enough so the chicks can see and reach the feed easily. Use a 2-foot feeder for each 50 chicks.
2. It is very important never to let the chicks run out of feed. Adding chopped boiled egg yolk on top of the feed gets the chicks off to a good start and encourages them to start eating the feed right away. Chicks should stay on a full feed ration of chick starter/grower until they are 4 1/2 – 5 months of age.
3. Have a gallon chick waterer for each 50 chicks. Do not medicate first water. For the first 2 days, add 3 tablespoons of table sugar to each quart of lukewarm water for extra energy. Use plain water after that. Dip the beak of the chick in the water before you turn it loose. Your chicks will be thirsty when you get them. A taste of water right away helps them to find more water sooner.
4. Using a drop light with a reflector shield is a good source of heat. Use a 75-100 watt bulb and use as many lights as you need to keep the birds comfortable. Hang the light no closer than 18”-24” from the floor. If it’s too warm, raise the light higher. The temperature should be 90-95 degrees for the first week. The temperature may need to be slightly higher for Bantams and other small-bodied birds. A thermometer will help to insure that you have the proper comfort level for the birds.
5. Reduce the temperature 5 degrees per week until you reach 70 degrees. They shouldn’t need much heat after that. Start with 1 bulb per 50 chicks in cold weather. Then watch how the birds act. The birds will need a small light at night to keep them from piling up even after they don’t need it for warmth. Be sure to watch the Cornish Cross as they grow faster than other birds and will over heat more quickly.
6. Try to provide 1/2 square foot per chick at the start. For starting 50 chicks, use a draft shield. This is a cardboard circle about 12 inches high around the chicks. This helps cut down drafts on the floor. Be sure the circle is large enough to allow the chick to get away from the heat if it wants to. Shavings make a good litter to place to the bottom of the space. Layer the litter at least 1-2 inches thick or 3-5 inches over concrete floors.