Baby chicks
are a fun pet for the family
Chickens are both inexpensive and low-maintenance to raise on the farm or in the city, but they need attentive care during the first few months. Baby chicks are sensitive to disease and require warmth and a clean environment. As they grow up, they can become engaging pets, and may also yield nutritious, chemical-free eggs and meat for the family. After hatching or bringing home the chicks, keep them healthy during the first two months.
Instructions
Providing care for baby chicks
1. Set up a cardboard box or an animal cage to house the chicks. This is called the brooder. Measure the brooder to ensure at least 2 square feet of space for each chick, and edges at least 12 inches tall. If the edges are shorter, cover the top with chicken wire or deer netting to prevent chicks from flying out.
2. Cover the floor of the brooder with a 1-inch layer of pine shavings or similar materials. Change the shavings at least once a week or more often if it appears damp.
3. Position a light in the corner or above the brooder to provide the chicks with heat. Either a 250-watt infrared heat lamp or a 100-watt light bulb with a reflector will work. Keep the temperature of the brooder at 90 to 100 degrees F the first week, and then decrease by five degrees each following week.
4. Keep a medium-sized waterer inside the brooder at all times. Baby chicks are thirsty animals. They can also make a mess and poop into the water. Change the water at least once every day to keep it clean.
5. Feed a diet of specially formulated "crumbles," placing a clean supply of food into the feeder every day. Crumbles are available in both medicated and non-medicated formulas. Medicated feed can prevent against diseases. After the first two weeks, chicks can also eat a worm or a bug.
6. Watch out for a condition called "pasting up," when the chicks have runny poop that can dry on their rears and block the passage of other waste. If this occurs, clean the area with a moist towel. Feeding the chicks vegetables or other greens can cause this condition.
7. Take the chicks outside for playtime if weather is warm (above 65 degrees). Chicks two to three weeks old will be curious to explore new areas. A wire cage or chicken pen will protect them from predators.
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