The Guide for Chicken Care
1. Set Up a Safe Brooder Before Arrival
- Have housing ready before chicks arrive. Use a proper brooder or a safe DIY setup — never cardboard (fire hazard).
- Provide warmth, ventilation (no drafts), and about 2 sq. ft. per chick.
- Add a wire top to prevent escapes and roosts for older chicks.
2. Monitor Chick Health Daily
- Healthy chicks are active and alert. A chick that isolates itself, looks lethargic, or fluffs up may be sick and can decline quickly.
3. Watch for “Pasting Up”
- If droppings block the vent, gently clean with warm water. Remove hardened buildup carefully.
- Note: A thin dark strand is likely a dried umbilical cord — this is normal and will fall off.
4. Maintain Proper Heat
- Start at 95°F (35°C) the first week, then reduce gradually every 5 days until room temp. Use a red heat bulb or poultry heater (never white bulbs or standard bulbs).
Watch behavior: - Huddling under heat = too cold
- Avoiding heat = too hot
Adjust accordingly.
5. Use Proper Bedding
- Use pine shavings or other non-toxic, absorbent bedding (about 1 inch thick).
- Avoid newspaper (causes slipping/splayed leg) and never cedar (toxic).
- Change bedding weekly.
6. Provide Clean, Fresh Water at All Times
- Use a properly sized chick waterer that won’t tip. A 1-quart jar with a watering base works well for new chicks.
7. Never Use Open Water Dishes
- Open bowls cause contamination, chilling, drowning, and disease. Keep the brooder dry.
8. Clean Waterers Daily
- Wash with warm water and vinegar or poultry-safe sanitizer. Choose waterers that are easy to clean.
9. Keep Water Close
- Place water within 24 inches of the heat source at first.
- Later, no more than 10 feet away.
- When upgrading waterers, leave old ones in place temporarily.
10. Feed Starter Feed Only
- Use chick starter (crumble or mash) up to 16 weeks.
- Never feed layer feed; high calcium can damage kidneys. Provide fine, sand-sized grit.
11. Manage Feeders Properly
- Don’t leave feeders empty too long (prevents pecking).
- Don’t let stale feed accumulate.
- Clean feeders weekly.
12. Support Gut Health
- Consider adding apple cider vinegar (1 tbsp per gallon) to water.
- Probiotics, fermented feed, and electrolyte/vitamin powders help build strong immunity and healthy digestion.