Thursday, January 28, 2021

  • facebook
  • pinterest
  • twitter
  • instagram
  • Blog Home
  • Shop Murdoch’s
Murdoch's Blog: The Dirt
  • Home
  • How-To
  • Gritty Stories
  • Events
  • Company News
Navigation
Top Soil
  • New StuffTop 10 Cutest Winter Boots of the Season
  • How-To & Education4 of Murdoch’s Favorite Men’s Jeans
  • How-To & EducationBasic Trick Training With Treats
  • How-To & EducationInspecting Your Hive
  • How-To & EducationKeeping Chickens Warm and Laying in the Winter
How-To & Education How To Care For Baby Chicks The First Two Weeks

How To Care For Baby Chicks The First Two Weeks

February 24, 2016 |
Posted by Jan Nessett
| How-To & Education | 11286 views |
How To Care For Baby Chicks The First Two Weeks

How to care for baby chicks:

Murdoch’s Animal Health Specialist, Carol Ledbetter, has helped thousands of customers at our Longmont store with their new baby chicks. Because chicks are starting to show up at Murdoch’s stores, we asked her to tell you how to care for baby chicks, from prep through the first two weeks. They are delicate little creatures that need to be well cared for, especially during the first few weeks.


 

Environment

To provide the best environment for chicks prepare several days ahead.

Stock tank for baby chicks

This is just one example of a stock tank that would make a good brood rearing environment for new chicks. Click for details.

Proper Enclosure: We recommend a stock tank or small kiddie pool. It must be large enough for their food and water, plus provide ample space for each chick, so the enclosure size depends on how many you have.

Each chick needs about 1 square foot or more. Some folks use clean plastic dog crates with the roof separated. Other folks opt to use a cardboard box; Murdoch’s cautions against cardboard because it poses fire hazards. Cardboard boxes are an unnecessary risk to take, plus they need to be replaced frequently when water spills.

Bedding: Layer your enclosure with a minimum of 1 inch of bedding on the floor. Pine shavings are preferred. Do not use newspaper shreds or cedar shavings (cedar causes respiratory problems).

Pine shavings serve two purposes: First, they absorb waste and water spills. Second, they provide proper footing. When chicks walk on slippery surfaces (like newspaper and cardboard) they can develop spraddle/sprayed leg, impacting their ability to walk. You’ll need to change bedding every 2-3 days.

More Bedding Info

 

Temperature

BAYCO BROODER CLAMP LIGHT

This brooder lamp has a clip to easily move it farther and farther away as the chicks age. Click for details.

For warmth you will need to hang a heat lamp, starting at 18” to 24” from the ground. The temperature inside the enclosure needs to be between 85 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. Use an outdoor thermometer that is designed to measure air temperatures to ensure proper temperatures.

Reduce the temperature by 5 degrees Farenheit every week by raising the heat lamp. We can’t tell you how high 5 degrees is; everyone’s home begins at a different air temperature.

Pay attention to your chicks! They will tell you if the temperature is comfortable. Here’s how you know: If the chicks always huddle under the light, it is too cold. If they are always to the edge, it’s too hot.

Always use red heat bulbs at first to help protect their delicate eyes and prevent picking.


 

Food and Water

Water: Provide fresh water daily. Always use a poultry waterer. It’s a safe, inexpensive tool to keep your chicks healthy. You may have to show your new chicks where to drink by dipping their beaks into the water dish.

Waterers & Feeders

Feed: You will feed chick starter for the first 18 to 20 weeks. Chick starter comes in both medicated and non-medicated forms. We pulled together a whole blog post about this.

If you purchased your chicks from a Murdoch’s store, your chicks were not vaccinated. For non-vaccinated chicks, FDA-approved medicated feed (it has amprolium in it) is recommended to prevent coccidiosis. Do not use medicated chick starter feed if your chicks come from a supplier who vaccinates.


 

Welcome Home!

Once you have these basics in place you are ready to welcome home chicks, and the first two weeks with your new baby chicks will go smoothly.

For the first couple weeks keep a close eye on how they act. They may become stressed and constipated. To reduce stress, handle chicks as little as possible for the first 2-3 weeks. After that you can start getting them used to you. If constipation occurs (also called pasting) use a warm wet cloth or cotton ball to clean the area.

Always, always provide clean bedding, water, and feed to your chicks. If you have specific questions about how to care for baby chicks, you can comment below or ask the folks at your local Murdoch’s.

Backyard Chicken Supplies at Murdoch’s

Share this with your friends:

  • Tweet
  • Email
  • Print
  • More
  • Pocket
  • Share on Tumblr
Tagged :Backyard Chickens, chick feed, chickens, Farming
prev The Perfect Spring Shirt by Ariat
next 10 Good Things Happening at Special Olympics Montana

Related Posts

Organic Chicken Feed Ain’t No Fad

October 7, 2015

How to Change Feed as Poultry Grows

April 23, 2015

What Every Horse Owner Needs to Know About Sand Colic

What Every Horse Owner Needs to Know About Sand Colic

April 1, 2016

Comment on Facebook

The Dirt is Published by Murdoch’s Ranch & Home Supply

Advertisment

Filter By

Ag Supplies Ariat Backyard Chickens Bees Boots Carhartt chainsaw chaps chicken coop chickens chick feed Christmas cowboy hat Customers dogs employment equine Farming Fashion Feed Fencing Gardening Gifts Goats Honda Husqvarna Jeans Kids' clothing Men's clothing Power Equipment Ranching Reviews Rodeo safety equipment Silverthorne sporting goods Stihl team members tools Toys Westminster Wild Birds Women's clothing Wrangler Wyoming

Most Popular Posts

  • Get Your Cowboy Hat in Shape

    Get Your Cowboy Hat in Shape

    June 3, 2015 | 38065 views |
  • How Much Do Carhartt Pants Shrink?

    How Much Do Carhartt Pants Shrink?

    September 22, 2015 | 36779 views |
  • Can I Tuck My Jeans into My Boots?

    Can I Tuck My Jeans into My Boots?

    August 20, 2015 | 32820 views |
  • How to Winterize a Beehive

    How to Winterize a Beehive

    September 16, 2016 | 26769 views |
  • Warmest Carhartt Coat – A Guide For Men Who Don’t Want to Shop

    Warmest Carhartt Coat – A Guide For Men Who Don’t Want to Shop

    September 29, 2015 | 24065 views |

Like the Dirt!

Like the Dirt!

Subscribe to Blog Via Email

Old Dirt

  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • January 2018
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • January 2017
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016
  • April 2016
  • March 2016
  • February 2016
  • January 2016
  • December 2015
  • November 2015
  • October 2015
  • September 2015
  • August 2015
  • July 2015
  • June 2015
  • May 2015
  • April 2015

The Dirt Published by Murdoch’s

murdochs logo

Copyright 2018 · Murdoch's Ranch & Home Supply

  • /Blog Home
  • /Shop Murdoch’s
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.