Caring for Baby Chicks

Baby chicks are not one size fits all. Every species has different needs, nutrtitional requirements, and brooding periods. Before adding new poultry to your flock, read these guides and consider whether they are the right option for you.

Click on any of the links below to find more information about caring for your baby chicks. We cover a variety of topics, from the brooding basics to special dietary requirements.

Broilers

• Broiler care page: Broiler chicks are hardy and resilient, but they require careful management of their feed intake to ensure proper health and development. Learn more about brooder setup, nutritional requirements, and when it is suitable to move your fully feathered birds to pasture.

 

Layers

• Layer care page: Egg layers have a slightly longer brooding period than broilers, as they don't develop adult feathers until 6-8 weeks of age. Set your layers up for success by learning about their nutritional needs, when to switch chicks to layer feed, and how to gauge when they are ready to start laying.

 
 

Bantams

• Bantam care page: Bantam chickens are a small variety of poultry. While caring for them is similar to layers, there are some special considerations due to their small size. We cover appropriately sized feeders and waterers, how to make their brooder escape proof, and introducing them to mixed flocks.

 

Turkeys

• Turkey care page: Turkey poults are prone to starve-out and dehydration. They require an upfront time commitment to ensure their continued health and success. Follow our care guide to discover how to encourage your turkey poults to eat and drink on their own, and whether it's safe to brood turkey poults and baby chicks together.

 

Ducklings and goslings

• Waterfowl care page: Ducklings and goslings are among the messiest birds to brood. Learn how to set up their watering station to minimize wet shavings, how to prevent drowning or chilling in water, as well as the importance of niacin in their health and early development.

Guineas 

 

• Guineas and Game Birds

When receiving your Poultry please be aware, it is important to care for your poultry, but you must also protect yourself from potentially harmful micro-organisms, germs (including salmonella) and bacteria by direct contact with poultry and livestock.
 

• DO supervise children when handling poultry and ensure hand washing after contact.

• DO carefully and thoroughly wash your hands with soap and hot water after handling poultry and anything in the area where they live and roam (if soap and water are not available use hand sanitizer).

• KEEP poultry outside, and especially out of areas where food and drink is prepared, served or stored. Also keep out of bathrooms.

• DO NOT nuzzle, snuggle or kiss your livestock or poultry. 

• DO NOT let children less than 5 year of age, elderly and people with weakened immune systems handle or touch livestock including poultry.

• Contact with live poultry (chicks, chickens, ducklings, ducks, goslings, geese and turkeys) can be a source of human Salmonella infections.

• Salmonella germs are shed in their droppings and can easily contaminate their bodies and anything in areas where birds live and roam.

• Chicks, ducklings, and other poultry can carry Salmonella germs and still appear healthy and clean.

• Salmonella germs can cause a diarrheal illness in people that can be mild, severe, or even life threatening.