How to Care for and Feed Baby Chicks

Like any young animal, baby chicks require a lot of special care and attention, especially in their first days. They must be provided with warmth, security, food and water, and they require a great deal of supervision. Feeding and caring for baby chicks can be time consuming but is also rewarding for those who make the effort.

Things You'll Need

  • Large cardboard box or plastic container
  • Wire mesh or screen
  • Chicken waterer or heavy cup and saucer
  • Chicken feeder or small dish with low sides
  • 250-watt red heat lamp
  • Small thermometer
  • Pine shavings or sand
  • Starter feed or instant oatmeal
  • Water
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Instructions

    • 1

      Select a box to house your baby chicks for the first few weeks. It should be roomy enough for the chicks to move around and should allow space as they continue to grow. The sides should prevent drafts. Put the box in predator-free area of your home, preferably the garage or utility room.

    • 2

      Spread about 1/2 inch of pine shavings or sand in the bottom of the box. This will serve as litter and will need to be changed daily.

    • 3

      Install a chick feeder in the box. If you don't have a feeder, you can use a small dish with low sides. Place the starter feed or, alternatively, instant oatmeal flakes, in the feeder or dish. It's fine to start with oatmeal, but you should buy real chick food as soon as possible. Allow the chicks unlimited access to food.

    • 4

      Install a chick waterer in the box. If you don't have a waterer, you can create one using a large, heavy saucer and inverted cup. Fill the saucer with water and invert the cup onto it. This will allow the chicks access to water along the edges without the risk of drowning. Water will need to be changed daily.

    • 5

      Place the 250-watt red heat lamp above the box and turn it on. The red light will provide heat while also allowing the chicks to sleep by preventing harsh glare.

    • 6

      Hang a small thermometer into the box. The small key chain thermometers work well. The temperature of the box should remain above 90 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week and go down by 5 degrees each week after. So the first week will be 90 degrees, the second week 85, the third will be 80 and so on.

    • 7

      Place the chicks in the warming box and cover the box with the wire mesh or screen to prevent predators such as cats from reaching the chicks.