5. Feeding and Watering Chicks

Watering Chicks

Chicks should always have access to clean drinking water from the moment they arrive in your care. We’ll look at waterer options for your brooder, and discuss the importance of this basic necessity.

Key Points Summary

• Chicks should always have access to fresh, clean water.
• Water should be given at brooder temperature, rather than cold. Cold water can chill chicks.
• When chicks first move into their brooder, dip each chick’s beak into their water source so they are able to hydrate right away.
• Setting water on a raised, flat surface, or hanging it from above reduces the risk of chicks knocking over their water. This also helps keep bedding out of waterers.

Feeding Chicks

A proper diet is vital for growing chicks. Let’s take a look at options for feeders, then we will discuss the dietary needs of chicks.

Key Points Summary

• The most common feeder options are:
• Trough feeders (reel top and hole top)
• Round feeders
• Tube feeders
• From hatch until they reach laying age at 18 weeks, chicks should be fed a chick starter ration.
• Medicated chick starters can be used to help prevent coccidiosis.
• Never feed medicated feed if your chicks were vaccinated against coccidiosis or if waterfowl share the brooder with your chicks.
• Once your chicks’ diet starts to include foods and treats beyond chick starter ration, you will need to provide grit so your chicks can digest these foods properly.