There’s something about baby chicks that makes people instantly soften. Maybe it’s the tiny peeps.
Maybe it’s the way they wobble around like little wind up toys. Or maybe it’s the fact that they look like fuzzy ping pong balls with legs.
Either way, once you bring chicks home, one question pops up fast. “What on earth do I feed these tiny things?”
If you’ve ever stood in the feed store staring at twenty different bags like you’re taking a surprise exam, you’re not alone. Starter, grower, medicated, crumble, mash. It can feel confusing.
But here’s the good news.
Feeding baby chicks is actually simple once you know the basics. Let’s walk through it together.
Because of that, they need a feed that’s high in protein. That’s where chick starter feed comes in.
Look for a starter with about 18 to 20 percent protein. This helps them build strong muscles, feathers, and bones. Starter usually comes as crumbles, which are small pieces that are easy for little beaks to pick up.
Think of it like oatmeal instead of whole nuts. Easier to eat. Less choking risk. Stick with starter feed as their main food. Not snacks. Not kitchen scraps. Not “whatever looks healthy.”
Starter feed is balanced just for them. It’s like baby formula for chicks. Simple and reliable.
Here’s the plain version.
Medicated feed helps protect chicks from coccidiosis, which is a common intestinal disease. It’s especially risky in damp or crowded conditions.
It contains a mild medication that helps prevent the parasite from taking over. If you’re raising chicks on the ground, outside, or in a shared brooder space, medicated feed can be a smart safety net.
If your setup is very clean and controlled, some folks prefer non medicated.
Neither choice is wrong. It’s more about your comfort level and environment. Personally, I think of medicated feed like a seatbelt. You hope you never need it, but you’re glad it’s there.
They don’t eat big meals like we do. They nibble constantly. A peck here. A peck there. It’s like having a group of tiny teenagers who never stop snacking.
So keep feeders filled and easy to reach. If the feeder is empty, you’ll hear about it fast. Loudly.
But there are a few small tricks that make life easier. Keep feed dry. Wet feed turns into a sticky mess fast.
Use a proper feeder so they don’t scratch bedding into it. Raise the feeder slightly as they grow so it stays clean.
And check daily for clumps or mold. Fresh feed equals healthy chicks. Old, damp feed equals trouble.
Not deep bowls. They can fall in and get chilled or drown. Use a chick waterer designed for them. For the first few days, you can dip each chick’s beak gently in the water so they learn where it is.
It feels silly. But it works every time. And yes, they will kick bedding into it. Every single day. It’s like a hobby. So change it often.
Clean water keeps digestion healthy and prevents disease.
Grit acts like tiny teeth in their gizzard. It helps grind food. Without it, digestion gets slow and uncomfortable. Kind of like trying to chew with no teeth.
So if you offer anything besides starter, sprinkle in some fine grit. Easy fix.
Around 6 to 8 weeks old, it’s time to switch to grower feed. Grower has slightly less protein, usually around 16 percent. This supports steady growth without pushing them too fast.
Think of it like moving from baby food to regular meals. Make the switch slowly over a few days by mixing feeds together. Sudden changes can upset their stomachs.
Nobody likes a surprise diet change. Not even chickens.
Layer feed includes added calcium for strong eggshells. Without it, shells get thin and fragile. And nobody wants eggs that crack if you look at them funny.
You can also offer crushed oyster shells on the side for extra calcium. The hens will take what they need. Chickens are surprisingly good at self regulating.
Better than most humans around cookies.
They eat more and grow quickly, so keep feeders full. Think of them as little athletes bulking up. Their bodies are built for growth, so their diet needs to match.
Avoid:
Treats should be small and occasional. Starter feed should be 90 percent of their diet. Treats are like dessert. Fun, but not dinner.
But remember moderation. Too many treats mean less balanced nutrition. I always say treats are like candy at Halloween. Fun, exciting, but you wouldn’t live on it.
Keep it simple.
Give them the right starter feed, clean water, a little grit when needed, and steady transitions as they grow. Keep things simple. Keep things clean. And don’t overthink it.
Before you know it, those fluffy peeps will turn into confident hens strutting around your yard like they own the place. And you’ll look back and laugh at how worried you were about feeding them.
So tell me, what’s your favorite chick snack or feeding tip? I’d love to hear what works in your coop.
Some more articles for your reading pleasure:
Maybe it’s the way they wobble around like little wind up toys. Or maybe it’s the fact that they look like fuzzy ping pong balls with legs.
Either way, once you bring chicks home, one question pops up fast. “What on earth do I feed these tiny things?”
If you’ve ever stood in the feed store staring at twenty different bags like you’re taking a surprise exam, you’re not alone. Starter, grower, medicated, crumble, mash. It can feel confusing.
But here’s the good news.
Feeding baby chicks is actually simple once you know the basics. Let’s walk through it together.
What to Feed Baby Chicks
First things first. Baby chicks are not tiny adult chickens. They have different needs. They grow fast. Really fast. Like “outgrow their baby photos in two weeks” fast.Because of that, they need a feed that’s high in protein. That’s where chick starter feed comes in.
Look for a starter with about 18 to 20 percent protein. This helps them build strong muscles, feathers, and bones. Starter usually comes as crumbles, which are small pieces that are easy for little beaks to pick up.
Think of it like oatmeal instead of whole nuts. Easier to eat. Less choking risk. Stick with starter feed as their main food. Not snacks. Not kitchen scraps. Not “whatever looks healthy.”
Starter feed is balanced just for them. It’s like baby formula for chicks. Simple and reliable.
Medicated vs Non Medicated Feed
Ah yes. The debate. This question comes up every single time. Should you use medicated or non medicated feed?Here’s the plain version.
Medicated feed helps protect chicks from coccidiosis, which is a common intestinal disease. It’s especially risky in damp or crowded conditions.
It contains a mild medication that helps prevent the parasite from taking over. If you’re raising chicks on the ground, outside, or in a shared brooder space, medicated feed can be a smart safety net.
If your setup is very clean and controlled, some folks prefer non medicated.
Neither choice is wrong. It’s more about your comfort level and environment. Personally, I think of medicated feed like a seatbelt. You hope you never need it, but you’re glad it’s there.
When to Feed Baby Chicks
Here’s the easy answer. Always. Seriously. Chicks should have food available all day.They don’t eat big meals like we do. They nibble constantly. A peck here. A peck there. It’s like having a group of tiny teenagers who never stop snacking.
So keep feeders filled and easy to reach. If the feeder is empty, you’ll hear about it fast. Loudly.
How to Prepare the Feed
Good news. You don’t need a recipe book. Just pour the crumbles into a chick feeder. That’s it.But there are a few small tricks that make life easier. Keep feed dry. Wet feed turns into a sticky mess fast.
Use a proper feeder so they don’t scratch bedding into it. Raise the feeder slightly as they grow so it stays clean.
And check daily for clumps or mold. Fresh feed equals healthy chicks. Old, damp feed equals trouble.
Water
If feed is important, water is even more important. Chicks can go longer without food than water. Always provide clean, fresh water.Not deep bowls. They can fall in and get chilled or drown. Use a chick waterer designed for them. For the first few days, you can dip each chick’s beak gently in the water so they learn where it is.
It feels silly. But it works every time. And yes, they will kick bedding into it. Every single day. It’s like a hobby. So change it often.
Clean water keeps digestion healthy and prevents disease.
Grit and Digestion
Here’s something beginners often miss. If chicks only eat starter feed, they usually don’t need grit. But the second you offer treats or anything else, they need chick grit.Grit acts like tiny teeth in their gizzard. It helps grind food. Without it, digestion gets slow and uncomfortable. Kind of like trying to chew with no teeth.
So if you offer anything besides starter, sprinkle in some fine grit. Easy fix.
Transitioning to Grower Feed
Chicks grow quickly. Before you know it, your little fuzz balls look like awkward teenagers with half feathers and big feet.Around 6 to 8 weeks old, it’s time to switch to grower feed. Grower has slightly less protein, usually around 16 percent. This supports steady growth without pushing them too fast.
Think of it like moving from baby food to regular meals. Make the switch slowly over a few days by mixing feeds together. Sudden changes can upset their stomachs.
Nobody likes a surprise diet change. Not even chickens.
Feed for Laying Hens
Once your pullets start laying, usually around 18 to 20 weeks, they need more calcium. That’s when you move to layer feed.Layer feed includes added calcium for strong eggshells. Without it, shells get thin and fragile. And nobody wants eggs that crack if you look at them funny.
You can also offer crushed oyster shells on the side for extra calcium. The hens will take what they need. Chickens are surprisingly good at self regulating.
Better than most humans around cookies.
Feed for Meat Birds
Meat birds are a different story. They grow faster and need higher protein. Starter and grower feeds with 20 to 24 percent protein work best.They eat more and grow quickly, so keep feeders full. Think of them as little athletes bulking up. Their bodies are built for growth, so their diet needs to match.
What Not to Feed Baby Chicks
This is where people get into trouble. Chicks look cute. You want to spoil them, I get it. But not everything belongs in their beaks.Avoid:
- Salty foods
- Sugary foods
- Processed snacks
- Raw beans
- Moldy leftovers
- Chocolate
- Onions
Treats should be small and occasional. Starter feed should be 90 percent of their diet. Treats are like dessert. Fun, but not dinner.
Treats and Moderation
Once chicks are a bit older, you can offer small treats. Scrambled eggs, chopped greens, tiny bits of fruit. They go wild for it. It’s like a backyard party.But remember moderation. Too many treats mean less balanced nutrition. I always say treats are like candy at Halloween. Fun, exciting, but you wouldn’t live on it.
Keep it simple.
Common Feeding Mistakes
Let me save you a few headaches.- Overfeeding treats
- Letting feed get wet
- Forgetting clean water
- Switching feed too fast
- Using adult layer feed too early
Conclusion
Feeding baby chicks doesn’t have to feel complicated. It’s not rocket science. It’s more like caring for tiny, feathery toddlers.Give them the right starter feed, clean water, a little grit when needed, and steady transitions as they grow. Keep things simple. Keep things clean. And don’t overthink it.
Before you know it, those fluffy peeps will turn into confident hens strutting around your yard like they own the place. And you’ll look back and laugh at how worried you were about feeding them.
So tell me, what’s your favorite chick snack or feeding tip? I’d love to hear what works in your coop.
Some more articles for your reading pleasure:
