How to Feed the Hungry Hatched Chicks

Raising birds from an egg provides a rewarding and educational experience. One of the first things you will need to do once the chicks emerge from their eggs is provide food and water for them. While you are likely eager to begin feeding the baby birds, take some time to do so in the right way. Choosing the right food and offering it in the right way will ensure that they get a healthy start to life.

Things You'll Need

  • Water
  • Water bowl
  • Chick starter feed
  • Food bowl
  • Oatmeal, cereal or whole grains
  • Blender
Show More

Instructions

    • 1

      Wait 24 hours before feeding the newly hatched chicks. The nutrients from the egg yolk continue to nourish the chicks for the first 24 hours.

    • 2

      Give them plenty of water. Use a heavy container that they can reach but cannot tip over, or a chick-watering device purchased from a farm store.

    • 3

      Change the water if it gets dirty. This will need to be done frequently throughout the day.

    • 4

      Place a bowl of chick starter feed in the warming box. To attract the chicks' attention, lay a sheet of paper on the bedding and drop a few pieces of the feed on it. The chicks will be attracted to the feed by the noise it makes, thus enticing them to eat.

    • 5

      Leave the feed in the warming box. The birds will eat when they are hungry without overeating.