Baby Chick Care
Precious Cargo
Keep your chicks warm and fed
Have everything set up before they arrive: Heat, Water, Food and Shelter (from drafts). Be sure to test temperatures before they arrive, so they can go directly into a warm spot to rest. Travel is very stressful for them, so try not to handle for the first 24 hours. This is an extremely important step. Place them in warm spot (no drafts) and with warm water helps them to rest and gather strength and calm down. When they first arrive they will be thirsty. Taking each chick, with the beak between your two fingers, dip it into the water. The water will startle them a bit, but let them go and watch. Do they swallow? Do NOT repeat if they have.
Normally chicks will not eat, drink or move around until they have warmed up, which is why it is so important to let them rest. This prevents shock and potential sickness.
- Use a standard chick starter/grower. Be very careful about buying medicated food, your chicks may already be medicated when you pick them.
- Overmedicating creates many unnecessary problems and even death.
- Feeding troughs should be low enough for them to reach easily and the best place is just outside the heated area in their pen.
Heat
The ideal temperature is a constant 16 – 26 celsius (or 60 – 80F) for the first week or two. There should be enough space to accommodate all chicks if they are cold, and enough space for all chicks to move away from heat if they are too hot.
Water
WATER: For the first day, water should be very warm 32 – 35 celsius (or 90 – 105F), we take care of that. And warm for the next two days and room temperature after that and should be placed in the pen, just outside the heated area. Never let them run out of clean drinking water in the early days.
When we pick up day old chicks, we take care of the first day of water, which should be warm 32 – 35 celsius
Food
Use a standard chick starter/grower. Be very careful about buying medicated food, your chicks may already be medicated when you pick them. Overmedicating creates many unnecessary problems and even death.
Feeding troughs should be low enough for them to reach easily and the best place is just outside the heated area of their pen.
Shelter
Drafts can be dangerous. Any type of wall surrounding their area protects them from drafts and keeps the warmth in. But the space needs to be large enough for cooler spots should they get too warm. Bedding should be wood (not cedar) shavings large enough that they can’t be eaten or straw (cheapest). Avoid sawdust (can be toxic) or newspapers (can be too slippery).
Things to Note
Appointment Only
We can't wait to see you, but all pickups do require an appointment. Call or write to arrange your pickup.
Delivery Preparation
Before your chicks arrive make sure you are set up to receive them with all the supplies you might need. Read our help guides if you have any quesions.
Contact us with any Questions
We love to hear from our customers, please use our contact page to reach out to us.
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