When I got my first chicks I had many questions about them, today I'm gonna type some simple answers to common questions to do with chicks.
1. What temperature do my chicks need in the brooder?
For the first week the temperature under the heat plate or heat lamp should be 95°F, decreased by 5°F everything week.
2. What do chicks eat?
Chicks should eat an at least 18% protein chick crumble. Always have water available.
3. Should I use medicated or unmedicated feed and what does medicated feed mean?
Medicated feed simply means the feed has a preventive dose of amprolium, a medication for coccidiosis. Whether or not to use medicated feed greatly depends on your situation. I personally do not use it.
4. What bedding should I use for the brooder?
For the first week of life I use puppy pads or paper towels, this prevents the chicks from slipping and getting splay leg. I then switch to pine shavings. You can also use aspen shavings or peat moss. Never use cedar shaving or newspaper as these are dangerous to your chicks heath.
5. When can my chicks go outside?
This greatly depends on the temperature outside, but it's usually around 6 weeks give or take. As long as they are fully feathered they should be able to regulate their temperature pretty well.
6. When can I tell the gender of my chicks?
For most breeds around 12 weeks of age for sure. Some breeds like seramas can be sexed earlier and some like silkies take longer.
7. Can my chicks have treats?
While chicks can have some treats, it's important to keep them very limited since they should not fill up on treats. It's important they eat plenty of feed to get the correct nutritients. Some save treats ate mealwirms, black soldier fly larva, and cooked egg.
8. Is it ok to raise ducklings, quail, and other birds with my chicks?
You should be careful raising other species of domestic fowl with chicks, ducklings which are larger then chicks can easily trample them and quail can be easily trampled by the chicks as well. They also have different nutritional requirements.
9. How should I integrate my chicks to my older chickens?
It is a good idea to use a see-don't-touch method at first when integrating chicks into your flock. I like to use a large crate for a week, them release the chicks but keep an eye on them to make sure they are not harassed by the bigger chickens. It is best to introduce new chicks early in the morning or late at night. It's normal for chicks yo be pecked or chased a little, but if it gets to a point chicks are being injured it's time to intervene and do more see don't-touch.
Well folks, there you have it, 10 commonly asked questions about chicks! I hope this hashelpex answer your questions and happy chick tending!
