How to Care for Baby Chicks

The Backyard Boost^® team loves this time of year for many reasons. One of them is that we get to experience the joys of raising a new set of backyard birds. Whether you visit your local farm store or purchase mail order chicks, we compiled our top advice on how to keep your little flock happy and healthy.

Your chicks need a cozy brooder – it’s their version of a nursery – before you turn them loose in a coop. A large plastic bin or cardboard box with high sides works well. Line it with pine shavings and give them space to explore, nap and practice their awkward chicken dance. Avoid cedar shavings as the over powering scent can be toxic to chicks and lead to respiratory challenges. Want to know more about how to set up your brooder box? We’ve got you covered!

Chicks can’t regulate their body temp, so warmth is key. Use a heat lamp or brooder plate to maintain about 95° Fahrenheit the first week. It is important not to have the heat lamp too close to the bedding or chicks. Decrease the temperature by 5 degrees each week until they’re fully feathered, around 6 weeks old.

Offer chick starter feed—specially formulated with the protein and nutrients they need to grow. Chicks can self-regulate their intake, so don’t worry about them overeating. Fresh, clean water is a must. We recommend placing marbles in the water dish, which helps prevent accidental drownings while chicks are young. It also prevents water tipping and spilling.

Gently handling your chicks helps them become friendly feathered friends. Chicks are like all animals, and each has its unique personality. Always wash your hands before and after to keep germs at bay—for both your health and theirs.

Spot-clean daily, picking out any clumps of waste, and change bedding regularly. A clean brooder equals happy, healthy chicks.

Be sure to give your baby chicks the best care they deserve with Backyard Boost^® Defense, a liquid supplement for poultry designed to support digestion and healthy immune response. Backyard Boost Defense contains AO-Biotics^® Amaferm^®, a prebiotic research-proven to enhance digestibility, and provides nutrients needed in times of stress. By adding this green liquid to their fresh water daily, you promote water intake and hydration.

We hope this guide has given you a general overview on how to care for baby chicks. If you are looking for more comprehensive advice, check out our Chicken Care Cycle.

Ordering Backyard Boost is simple: purchase via our online store or from one of our online retail partners.

Perhaps you prefer to shop in person. Our?Where to Buy tool?can help you find the BioZyme retailer closest to you.

Before you know it, your little peepers will turn into protein-producers, and there is nothing better than fresh eggs!