“I’m starting a small backyard chicken coop and I’m worried about what to feed my baby chicks. Can you give me some advice on the best diet for them? I want to make sure they grow up healthy and strong!” Thanks so much, Kathleen, Brighton, UK.
What Should Baby Chickens Eat? A Comprehensive Guide to Chick Nutrition
Hey Kathleen! Congratulations on starting your backyard chicken coop in Brighton. It’s fantastic that you’re taking the time to learn about proper nutrition for your baby chicks. You’re absolutely right to focus on their diet, as it plays a crucial role in their growth and development. Let’s explore everything you need to know about feeding those adorable little fluff balls!
The Importance of Proper Nutrition for Baby Chicks
Before we get into the specifics of what to feed your chicks, it’s essential to understand why proper nutrition is so critical. Baby chicks grow at an incredibly rapid rate, and their nutritional needs are quite different from those of adult chickens. In the first six weeks of life, chicks will grow to about 5-6 times their hatch weight! This explosive growth requires a carefully balanced diet to support healthy development of bones, muscles, and organs.
Starter Feed: The Foundation of a Chick’s Diet
The primary food source for baby chicks should be a high-quality commercial starter feed. This specially formulated feed is designed to meet all the nutritional requirements of growing chicks. Here’s what you need to know about starter feed:
- Protein Content: Look for a starter feed with 18-20% protein content. This high protein level is crucial for rapid growth and feather development.
- Crumble vs. Mash: Starter feed typically comes in a crumble or mash form, which is easier for small chicks to eat than pellets.
- Medicated vs. Non-medicated: You’ll have the option of medicated or non-medicated feed. Medicated feed contains a coccidiostat to prevent coccidiosis, a common intestinal disease in young chickens. If you’re raising your chicks with a broody hen or if they’ve been vaccinated against coccidiosis, choose non-medicated feed.
Kathleen, when you’re shopping for starter feed in Brighton, make sure to check the label carefully. The feed should be specifically labeled for chicks or as a “starter” feed. Avoid feeds designed for older chickens or other poultry, as these won’t meet the unique nutritional needs of your baby chicks.
How Long to Feed Starter Feed
You should continue feeding starter feed until your chicks are about 6-8 weeks old. After this point, you can gradually transition them to a grower feed, which has a slightly lower protein content. This transition should be done slowly over a period of about a week to avoid digestive upset.
Supplementing the Diet: Treats and Additional Foods
While starter feed should make up the majority of your chicks’ diet, you can introduce small amounts of treats and additional foods to provide variety and extra nutrients. Here are some safe options:
- Grit: Chicks need grit to help grind their food in their gizzards. If your chicks are kept in a brooder and don’t have access to small stones or sand, provide them with commercial chick grit.
- Vegetables: Finely chopped leafy greens like lettuce, spinach, or kale can be offered in small amounts. These provide additional vitamins and help introduce variety to their diet.
- Mealworms: A favorite treat among chickens of all ages, mealworms are high in protein and can be offered sparingly as a treat.
- Scrambled Eggs: It might seem odd, but scrambled eggs are an excellent source of protein for chicks. Just make sure they’re fully cooked and cooled before offering.
Remember, Kathleen, treats should make up no more than 10% of your chicks’ diet. The bulk of their nutrition should come from their starter feed.
Foods to Avoid
While chicks can eat a variety of foods, there are some items you should never feed them:
- Avocado (toxic to chickens)
- Raw or dried beans
- Chocolate
- Caffeine
- Salty or sugary foods
- Moldy or spoiled foods
- Onions or garlic in large amounts
The Importance of Clean, Fresh Water
While we’re focusing on what baby chickens should eat, it’s crucial not to overlook the importance of clean, fresh water. Chicks need constant access to water to stay hydrated and to help them eat their dry feed. Here are some tips for providing water to your chicks:
- Use a shallow waterer designed for chicks to prevent drowning.
- Change the water at least once a day, more often if it becomes dirty.
- Clean the waterer regularly to prevent the growth of harmful bacteria.
- Consider adding a vitamin/electrolyte supplement to the water for the first few days after you get your chicks, especially if they’ve been stressed by shipping.
Feeding Schedule and Amounts
Baby chicks should have access to food 24 hours a day for the first few weeks of life. They have small crops (the pouch where food is stored before digestion) and need to eat frequently. As they grow, you can start to remove feed overnight, but during the day, it should always be available.
As for how much they’ll eat, it varies depending on the breed and individual chick. On average, a chick will consume about 1-2 pounds of feed in their first 6 weeks of life. Don’t worry too much about overfeeding – chicks are good at regulating their intake. Just make sure fresh feed is always available.
Special Considerations for Different Breeds
While the basic nutritional needs are similar for all chicks, there are some breed-specific considerations to keep in mind:
- Fast-growing meat breeds: These chicks may benefit from a higher protein starter feed (up to 22-24% protein) to support their rapid growth.
- Bantam breeds: These smaller chickens may do better with a finer crumble or even a mash, as their beaks are smaller.
- Heritage breeds: Some heritage breeds are prone to leg issues if they grow too quickly. For these breeds, you might consider a slightly lower protein feed (around 18%) to promote slower, steadier growth.
Kathleen, if you’re raising a specific breed in your Brighton coop, it might be worth researching any special dietary needs they might have.
Transitioning to Adult Feed
As your chicks grow, their nutritional needs will change. Here’s a general timeline for transitioning feeds:
- 0-6 weeks: Chick starter feed (18-20% protein)
- 6-14 weeks: Grower feed (16-18% protein)
- 14-20 weeks: Developer feed (14-16% protein)
- 20+ weeks: Layer feed for hens (16-18% protein with added calcium), or finisher feed for meat birds
Remember to make these transitions gradually over about a week to avoid digestive upset.
Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid
As you embark on your chicken-raising journey, be aware of these common feeding mistakes:
- Offering too many treats: While it’s tempting to spoil your chicks, too many treats can lead to nutritional imbalances.
- Switching feeds abruptly: Always transition to new feeds gradually.
- Feeding layer feed too early: Layer feed has too much calcium for growing chicks and can damage their kidneys.
- Neglecting grit: If your chicks don’t have access to small pebbles or sand, they need grit to help digest their food.
- Offering the wrong-sized feed: Make sure the feed particles are small enough for your chicks to eat comfortably.
Signs of Nutritional Problems
Even with the best care, sometimes nutritional issues can arise. Keep an eye out for these signs of potential problems:
- Slow growth or weight gain
- Lethargy or weakness
- Abnormal feather development
- Leg deformities or inability to stand
- Digestive issues (diarrhea or constipation)
If you notice any of these signs, Kathleen, it’s best to consult with a veterinarian or experienced chicken keeper. There are several poultry vets in the Sussex area who could help if needed.
Final Thoughts…
Kathleen, raising baby chicks is an exciting adventure, and you’re off to a great start by focusing on their nutrition. Remember, a high-quality starter feed should form the foundation of their diet, supplemented with occasional treats and always plenty of fresh water. As your chicks grow, their dietary needs will change, so be prepared to adjust their feed accordingly.
Thank you for reaching out with your question. Your commitment to providing the best care for your chicks is admirable. With proper nutrition and care, I’m sure your baby chicks will grow into healthy, happy adult chickens. Enjoy your backyard flock, and don’t hesitate to reach out if you have any more questions as you continue on your chicken-keeping journey in Brighton!
