Feeding Newborn Chicks: Essential Diet And Nutrition Guide

what do i feed newborn chicks

Newborn chicks require special attention and the right nutrition to support their growth and development. In their first few days, chicks can survive on the nutrients from their yolk sacs, but after this, they need access to water and nutrient-rich food.

Chicks should be fed a diet of around 18-20% protein to support muscle growth and development. Commercial chick starter feed is a popular option, containing all the essential nutrients a chick needs. Alternatively, chick starter can be made at home using eggs, oats, and other grains.

Characteristics Values
Nutrients Protein, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, fats
Water Double the amount of feed
First food Chick starter
First food duration Up to eight weeks old
Commercial alternative Eggs and oatmeal
Protein % 18-20%
Vitamin exceptions Vitamin C
Minerals Calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, copper
Grains Corn, wheat, soybean meal
Fats Linoleic acid
Food % 90%
Water-to-chicken ratio 1 quart per 4 chickens
Alternative food Organic chicken starter feed
Food to avoid Raw beans, raw onions, chocolate, avocado pits and skins, eggplant stems/leaves/flowers, peanut shells, mouldy bread, rhubarb leaves, pickles

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Baby chicks require a nutrient-dense diet

The importance of a nutrient-dense diet for baby chicks cannot be overstated, as it provides the essential building blocks for their transformation into adult chickens. The diet should include a higher protein content than adult chicken feed, typically between 15% and 21% protein. Protein is vital for muscle growth and promotes strength and bone integrity during their critical developmental stages. In addition to protein, baby chicks require a range of vitamins and minerals, including vitamins A, D, E, K, and B-complex vitamins, as well as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and copper.

To meet these nutritional requirements, commercial chick starter feeds are a popular option. These feeds are designed to provide all the essential nutrients a chick needs to grow and develop into either an egg-laying hen or a robust rooster. Commercial starter feeds typically contain a mix of organic carbs, including corn, soybean meal, and wheat, ensuring your chick receives a balanced diet. It is worth noting that chick starter feeds are usually sufficient on their own, and additional supplements may not be necessary.

While commercial chick starter feeds are convenient, some people prefer to make their own feed using grains and kitchen scraps. This allows for greater control over the ingredients and can be more cost-effective. However, creating your own chick feed can be challenging, as it requires ensuring the correct balance of nutrients, especially the necessary protein content.

In addition to their main diet, baby chicks can also benefit from treats in moderation. Insects and worms, such as red worms, mealworms, and crickets, are a good source of protein. Fruits and vegetables like strawberries, bananas, apples, and leafy greens can also be offered, ensuring any toxic parts, such as tomato leaves or avocado pits, are removed. It is important to introduce treats gradually and ensure the chicks are familiar with their main feed to prevent nutritional imbalances.

In summary, baby chicks require a nutrient-dense diet that supports their rapid growth and development. Commercial chick starter feeds are a convenient and balanced option, while making your own feed allows for greater control over ingredients. Regardless of the chosen feeding method, ensuring baby chicks receive the necessary nutrients is crucial for their health and well-being.

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They need protein, vitamins, minerals, grains and fats

Newborn chicks require a nutrient-dense diet to support their growth and development. Here's a detailed breakdown of the essential nutrients they need:

Protein

Protein is crucial for the development of chicks, making up approximately 18% to 20% of their diet in the early stages of life. It promotes muscle growth and supports bone integrity during their critical formative stages. As chicks approach 19 weeks of age, their protein intake should be gradually reduced to about 16% of their diet.

Vitamins

Chicks require all vitamins except vitamin C, including vitamins A, D, E, and K, as well as niacin, folic acid, biotin, thiamine, and riboflavin. These vitamins play a vital role in maintaining overall health and supporting various bodily functions.

Minerals

Minerals are essential for the healthy development of chicks. Their diet should include minerals such as calcium, phosphorus, magnesium, iron, and copper, among others. These minerals work in conjunction with other nutrients to support bone health and overall growth.

Grains

Grains are a significant source of vitamins, oil, and protein for chicks. Common grains used in chicken feed include corn, wheat, and soybean meal. These grains provide the energy that chicks need to thrive.

Fats

Fats, particularly fatty acids like linoleic acid, are important for chicks as they help break down vitamins and minerals, making them more bioavailable. Most of a chicken's fat content comes from oils that contain these essential fatty acids.

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You can buy commercial chick feed or make your own

If you want to make your own chick feed, you can do so by mixing eggs and oatmeal. Simply hard-boil some eggs, mash them up, and mix with oatmeal. However, it is difficult to ensure that homemade feed has the exact balance of nutrients that chicks need, so it is recommended to buy commercial feed.

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Chicks don't need food or water for 48 hours after hatching

Newly hatched chicks can stay inside the incubator for 24-48 hours after they have hatched. During the hatching process, chicks absorb their yolk sac, which provides moisture and nutrients for their first few days out of the shell. This means that they can go 1-3 days without needing to eat. This is why it is possible to ship day-old chicks without feeding or watering them.

Why You Should Wait

If you open the incubator too soon, you can cause harm to the chicks. Opening the incubator lowers the humidity inside, which can cause the membrane around chicks that are still pipping out to get dry and hard, making it much harder for them to get out of the egg. It is best to wait until all the chicks have hatched and are fully dried off before moving them to the brooder.

What to Do When Chicks First Hatch

Before your chicks hatch, set up the brooder, which will be their first home. It should be comfortable, warm and draft-free with at least 3 to 4 square feet per chick. The area should be circular and expandable. You will also need to assemble a heat lamp in the centre of the brooder for warmth. Hang the heat lamp about 20 inches above the litter, with 2.5 to 3 feet between the lamp and the guard walls. The temperature under the heat lamp should be 95 degrees Fahrenheit, and there should be adequate room in the brooder for the chicks to get out from under the heater if they get too hot.

What to Feed Chicks

Chicks need access to fresh, clean water at all times. Water plays a key role in a baby chick's overall health and wellbeing by aiding most of its bodily functions. Chicks consume approximately double the amount of water as compared to feed. For this reason, a lack of water can seriously affect a chick's health.

To get a jump-start in life, chicks begin by pecking at Chick Starter, which contains all the essential nutrients a chick needs to grow and develop. A chick will typically eat a starter mix up until eight weeks old. A great alternative to commercial chick starter is a mixture of two staple ingredients: eggs and oatmeal. Simply hard-boil some eggs, mash them up and mix with oatmeal.

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You can start treats after two weeks

Chicks should be fed a starter feed from the moment they hatch until they are 18 weeks old. This feed should be high in protein to help them grow. After this, they can transition to a grower feed, which has a lower protein content.

You can start giving chicks treats after two weeks, but only when they are very familiar with what their grain looks, smells and tastes like. Even then, treats should be fed sparingly, as they can cause health issues if chicks eat too many.

Chicks can start eating leafy greens like alfalfa, clover, spinach, lettuce or cabbage after the first week. They can also eat meat scraps, but only about an ounce of meat a week per 10 chicks. You can also start adding grains like whole wheat, barley, millet or oats to their feed, as well as split peas, sunflower seeds and flax, which add protein and healthy fats to their diet.

Chicks also need grit to help them grind up their food, as they lack teeth. Sand works well for chicks.

Frequently asked questions

Newborn chicks should be fed a chick starter feed, which contains all the essential nutrients a chick needs to grow and develop. This should be fed to them until they are eight weeks old.

Young chicks require a nutrient-dense diet, with the right balance of nutrients. Their diet should include protein, vitamins, minerals, carbohydrates, and fats.

Examples of food that can be fed to newborn chicks include insects, worms, oats, strawberries, bananas, apples, and lettuce.

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