Rearing chickens is a relatively easy process. However, if you’re breeding chickens for the very first time, you may need some advice on how to care for your baby chicks. This article discusses some of the basics of caring for chicks.

• Food

  In the first eight weeks of your chicks’ life, you should feed them with a chick starter feed, which can be purchased from most good pet or livestock suppliers. When the chicks first hatch, they may find it difficult to locate food, so it is a good idea to place a sprinkle of the starter feed onto a piece of cardboard that you should situate close to the chicks. After a few days, you can start to place the food into troughs, but ensure that the food is low enough for the chicks to see and easy for them to reach. As a rule, you will need a 2ft feeder per 50 chicks.

  It is always advisable to ensure that your chicks never run out of food, because they will eat consistently throughout the day and night. You may find it helpful to offer your chicks some finely chopped boiled egg yolk, as this encourages them to eat and provides many essential nutrients. A diet of starter or grower feed should be the main source of nutrition for the first 3 to 4 months.

• Water

  Like food, it is important to ensure that your chicks have a constant supply of water. If purchasing a chick water bottle, you will need a one-gallon container for 50 chicks. Some owners recommend placing three tablespoons of sugar into a quart of water for the first 2 days. This provides the youngsters with extra energy. It is also advisable to offer your newly hatched chicks lukewarm water rather than cold. Keep an eye on your chicks in the first few days to ensure that they are drinking, most fatalities during the early stages are due to dehydration.

• Heat

  Keeping your baby chicks warm is very important to their health. During the first week, the temperature should be kept between 90 and 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Typically, a 250-watt bulb will do the trick, but you may need to use more lamps to reach the correct temperature. However, it is advisable to make sure that any lamps you use are not too close to the chicks or their enclosure.

  Because the temperature is vital to the birds’ survival, it is wise to keep a thermometer in their pen so that you can monitor potential fluctuations. The general rule is to gradually lower the temperature by 1 degree per week, until you reach 70 degrees, by which time your birds should be strong enough to survive without the extra warmth.

  Although caring for chicks is not complex, it is wise to do some research and ensure that you have all the necessary equipment. Good luck!

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