Caring for Baby Chicks
Taking home your couple day old chicks is such an exciting feeling! Make sure you have a few things to get you started and the chicks situated when you get home.
If you do not have any supplies, you should bring home supplies such as a deep bucket, pine shavings for the flooring, containers for food and water, grower feed, and a heat lamp or brooder plate.
Some extra supplies you may need with baby chicks are VetRx, which is basically essential oils. These are great if you hear your chick "sneezing."
You may want to check their food and water daily, as the chicks tend to kick their bedding into their food and water if it is not slightly raised.
They do require a bit more care since they cannot regulate their temperature. It is recommended that chicks have a heat source and the first week they have a light or brooder that is set at 95 degrees. Each week you can decrease the heat by 5 degrees. Once they start growing their feathers, they do enter a bit of an "ugly chick" stage and you can start introducing them to outdoors for a period of time! If you have a heat lamp or plate brooder, this is done by moving the heat further away. Also recommended is a brooder plate over a heat lamp due to the fire hazard. Brooder plates also offer the chance for chicks to act much more naturally with heat as they would act with a "mama hen" taking care of them and offering their body heat.
Another helpful for tip is handling your chicks daily. If they seem afraid, move slowly, offer baby food from your hand and speak softly to them. Sudden movements frighten the chicks and they will run away until they become familiar with you. Soon you will find they will run to you if you offer your hand and you will be able to check them every day without much resistance. You should be aware, some chicks' personalities will just be timid and skittish no matter what, and often it will stick with them their entire life. Other chicks are naturally friendly and will continue as they age. Another word of caution, roosters tend to be less afraid as chicks. If you are unable to have a rooster, there are signs you should pay attention to as they grow! Signs such as red combs and wattles before the others is not simply maturing! The catch-all is always hearing them crow early.