How to Take Care of Baby Chicks

A Gentle Guide to Raising Happy, Healthy Chicks at Home

Bringing home baby chicks is a joyful beginning. These tiny fluffballs need warmth, care, and attention to grow into strong, productive members of your flock. Whether you're raising them for eggs, companionship, or tradition, this guide walks you through every step of their early life.

Step 1: Create a Safe Brooder Space

Baby chicks can’t regulate their body temperature, so they need a warm, secure environment.

• Use a large container, box, or brooder with tall sides to prevent escape

• Line the bottom with pine shavings (avoid cedar—it’s toxic)

• Keep the space dry, draft-free, and away from pets or small children

• Clean bedding regularly to prevent odor and disease

Step 2: Provide Proper Heat

Chicks rely on external heat until they’re fully feathered.

• Use a heat lamp or brooder plate to maintain warmth

• Start at 95°F during the first week

• Lower the temperature by 5°F each week until it reaches room temperature

• Watch chick behavior: huddling means they’re cold, spreading out means they’re comfortable

Step 3: Feed for Growth

Nutrition is critical in the first few weeks.

• Offer chick starter feed with 20–22% protein

• Avoid adult chicken feed—it lacks essential nutrients for chicks

• Provide clean, shallow water dishes

• Add marbles or pebbles to waterers to prevent drowning

• Change water daily and clean feeders weekly

Step 4: Keep Chicks Clean and Healthy

Good hygiene prevents illness and keeps your chicks thriving.

• Spot-clean bedding daily and replace fully once a week

• Watch for “pasty butt”—a condition where droppings stick to the vent area

• Gently clean with warm water and a soft cloth

• Limit handling during the first week to reduce stress

• Wash hands before and after contact

Step 5: Transition to the Coop

At around 6–8 weeks, chicks are ready to move outdoors.

• Ensure they’re fully feathered and the weather is mild

• Introduce them gradually to older birds

• Provide predator-proof fencing and shelter

• Continue offering chick feed until 16–18 weeks of age

Frequently Asked Questions About Baby Chick Care

What do baby chicks need to survive in the first week?

Baby chicks need warmth (around 95°F), clean water, chick starter feed, and a safe brooder with dry bedding. Without these essentials, they can quickly become sick or stressed.

How often should I clean a chick brooder?

Spot-clean daily to remove droppings and wet bedding. Do a full bedding change at least once a week to prevent odor and disease.

Can baby chicks eat kitchen scraps or vegetables?

Not in the first few weeks. Stick to chick starter feed until they’re older. Once they’re 3–4 weeks old, you can introduce small amounts of soft vegetables like cooked carrots or mashed peas.

Why are my baby chicks huddling together under the heat lamp?

Huddling usually means they’re cold. Check the temperature—it should be 95°F in week one, then decrease by 5°F each week. If they’re spread out and chirping happily, they’re comfortable.

How do I prevent pasty butt in baby chicks?

Keep the brooder warm and stress-free. Offer clean water and high-quality chick starter feed. If pasty butt occurs, gently clean the vent area with warm water and a soft cloth.

When can baby chicks go outside for the first time?

Chicks can explore outside briefly on warm, sunny days after 3–4 weeks, but only under supervision. They should be fully feathered (around 6–8 weeks) before moving to the outdoor coop full-time.

Do baby chicks need grit to digest food?

If they’re only eating chick starter feed, grit isn’t necessary. If you introduce treats or grains, offer chick-sized grit to help with digestion.

Can I raise baby chicks without a heat lamp?

Yes, but you’ll need a safe alternative like a brooder plate or a warm room that maintains consistent temperature. Heat is critical for the first 4–6 weeks.

How do I know if my baby chicks are sick?

Watch for signs like lethargy, drooping wings, labored breathing, diarrhea, or refusal to eat. Isolate sick chicks and consult a vet or poultry expert.

What’s the best bedding for baby chicks?

Pine shavings are ideal—absorbent, safe, and easy to clean. Avoid cedar (toxic) and newspaper (slippery and can cause leg issues).

Chick Care Essentials

At Piedmont Farm and Garden, we offer everything you need to raise baby chicks with confidence:

• Heat lamps and brooder plates

• Chick starter feed and waterers

• Bedding and cleaning supplies

• Vitamins, probiotics, and electrolytes

• Expert advice from our friendly team

Visit us in Spartanburg, SC

Call us for personalized guidance 864-583-1443

Final Thoughts

Raising baby chicks is a rewarding journey filled with learning, laughter, and love. With the right care, your chicks will grow into healthy hens that bring joy and nourishment to your home. From brooder to coop, we’re here to help every step of the way.