Tips for Raising Healthy Chicks

Blain’s Farm & Fleet has you covered with essential tips for raising healthy chicks!

The day you bring a new batch of chicks into your home is an exciting day, but the added responsibility of caring for your new birds can be a bit daunting. Especially if you are a first-time chicken owner. As with any baby, chicks require the proper nurturing and care to grow up healthy and strong. With the help of Blain’s Farm & Fleet, you can learn about what your backyard chicks will need for food, water and shelter. Whether you’re raising baby chicks for egg-laying, FFA or 4H, here are some simple tips for getting started.

Use a Chick Waterer

Baby chicks must have access to clean, fresh water at all times. Therefore, having a chick waterer is essential. For the first 2 days after they hatch, a one gallon waterer will will serve up to 50 chicks. Be sure not to medicate during the first water and add 3 tablespoons of table sugar to each quart of lukewarm water for extra energy. On day 3, you can start using plain water without any additives.

Use a Warming Light

Use a brooder lamp with a 250-watt infrared heat lamp to keep the birds warm and 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 ensure that you have the proper comfort level for the birds.

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. They will need a small light at night to keep them from piling together even after they don’t need it for warmth. If you bought Cornish Cross Chicks, keep in mind that they grow faster than any other bird so they can overheat fairly easily..

Give the Baby Chicks Enough Space

Try to provide 1/2 square foot of space per chick at the start. If you have 50 or more chicks, be sure to purchase a draft shield. This is a cardboard circle about 12 inches high that is positioned around your 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. 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.

At Blain’s Farm & Fleet, you’ll find all the poultry equipment and poultry netting you need to raise your own backyard chickens. You can even buy baby chicks right at your local store during Chick Days. For more tips on raising chickens, visit our Hobby Farming blog.