CHICKEN FEED: Feeding Baby Chicks

Want to start from Day One to grow the healthiest chickens possible? Learn the way it used to be done, and how we are adapting the old ways to today.

Got new chicks?? Lucky you!!

1. How to Handle

First of all, do not pick them up very much. Handling a lot might injure them. To pick them up, slip one hand under the chick's tummy, and put the other hand on top of the chick to hold it gently but firmly.

2. Get them warm now

Immediately get them warm. If you just got your chicks, and you don't have a warm box (like 90 degrees F, very warm), you can put them in an open box IN THE OVEN, with the pilot light or the oven light bulb on, while you make them a warming box.

3. Water

Get them some WATER, in a heavy, low bowl that they cannot tip over, or a waterer that you buy from the pet store or feed store. A heavy ash tray makes a good temporary water-holder for a few chicks. Keep checking the water to make sure it is clean. They must have water at all times.

4. Food

If you don't have chick starter feed yet, you can feed them for a day or two on 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 them slightly. Do not blend completely to a powder --- the feed should have some "grits" in it. Leave the feed with them all the time --- they will stop eating when they have had enough.

That's it --- they're safe for awhile

More preparations

Make a trip to a feed store

A trip to the nearest feed store is needed. Check your Yellow Pages for Feed Stores. Some pet stores have things for chicks, also. Phone them first to find out. You will need to buy

Chick Starter Feed -- start with about 5 pounds, and write the store's name on the bag so you can get the same kind again
Grit for chicks -- get the right size of grit for chicks; bone or oyster shell does not substitute for grit
A waterer --
A feeder --
To shop for these things online, see our Links section for McMurray Hatchery.

Make them a warming box

The first thing you will want to do is make a box for your chicks to stay warm in. You can use a hanging light bulb with a wire cage around it (from the hardware store), or perhaps a heating pad enclosed in a rubber cover of some kind. Perhaps an old aquarium will work, if it has a good warm light in the top.

If it is very cold outside, you will have to figure out how to keep their box very warm inside. Sheets of styofoam all around every side of the box makes good insulation. Or perhaps use a large ice chest. Small openings for air are all they need. They will eat styrofoam if you let them, so don't use it where they can get it.

A little key-ring thermometer hanging in the box will let you check the temperature easily.

Put a piece of 1/2 inch dowling, or a good stick, in for a roost --- they will quickly learn how to get onto it.

Line their warming box with DRY LEAVES, if you have some. Or saw dust, or shredded dry paper. They love to root around in "litter". Put in a large cement block or a thick, heavy piece of wood to keep their waterer and food dish on, up out of the litter. If you have lots of dry leaves, you can just keep adding more dry leaves as they compact down --- you don't have to empty the box for days or weeks, since the dry leaves keep the poop dry and covered up.

Throw in some grit --- they will find it.

That's it! You're on your way to being a real Chicken Farmer.