How to Take Care of a New Born Chick

Whether purchased online or at a local store for an Easter present, new born chicks can be raised in a variety of environments. You don't need to live on a farm to raise healthy chicks --t hey can easily be cared for in more urban environments as well. The baby birds do require a lot of care and should be monitored about five times a day, but the reward will be watching them grow and develop their own personalities. While not your everyday household pet, chickens are a fun alternative.

Things You'll Need

  • Water container
  • Feed container
  • 250 watt infrared heat lamp with guard
  • Thermometer
  • Feed
  • Supplements
  • Dry leaves or shredded dry paper
  • Cardboard box, storage bin or kiddie pool
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Instructions

  1. Setting up their Home

    • 1

      Find a suitable container for the baby chicks. This can be a cardboard box, storage bin, kiddie pool or glass aquarium.

    • 2

      Choose a place to store the container. This should preferably be a garage, basement or an area where cool air can not seep in and other animals can not harm them. If keeping baby chicks inside of your home, cover flooring as they tend to make a mess outside the confines of their box.

    • 3

      Fill the chick's container with dry leaves or shredded paper. Do not use newspaper as paper will end up wet, which could cause the chicks to slip and injure their fragile legs. Avoid cedar shavings, as they can harm the newborn's respiratory system.

    • 4

      Install a heat lamp, suspended off the ground over the middle of the living area until desired temperature is met using the thermometer. During their first week, baby chicks enjoy temperatures of 95 degrees, followed by 90 degrees the second week. Lower the temperature by five degrees each week as they transition to the outdoors.

    • 5

      Ensure adequate ventilation is provided by having the top of the chicks living area either open or with wire mesh.

    Caring for their Needs

    • 6

      Provide a low water bowl for the chicks. Deep dishes can cause chicks to drown.

    • 7

      Prepare food in a low dish or special feeder from the feed store. Chick starter feed and grits for chicks should be fed to them at this point. Supplements can also be given. All food and supplements can also be found at the feed store.

    • 8

      Avoid handling. Baby chicks are very fragile so don't pick them up unless it's necessary.

    • 9

      If no longer able to care for the chicks or grown chickens, the best option is to give them away for free. Ads on sites like craigslist.com are generally successful, as are signs placed on community bulletin boards in places such as the library and the grocery store.