If we find a newborn chicken chick without its mother and we decide to raise it, it is going to be essential that we inform ourselves about the care it needs so that we can successfully grow it. In this article we will explain how to raise chicks, because in order for them to survive we will have to provide them with very specific housing, temperature and feeding conditions.
Of course, any sign of discomfort is a reason for veterinary consultation. In this way, even if we know how to take care of chicks, if ours does not develop properly or shows warning symptoms, we will have to visit the specialist.
How to care for chicks?
As in all animal species, the ideal is for the young to develop in their environment and with their parents, but if we find ourselves in need of caring for an orphan chick, the most important thing is that we establish their age , because how to raise chicks goes to depend on your life time.
Thus, until they reach the stage where they can already take care of themselves, we are going to have to provide them with different conditions of temperature, humidity and feeding. In the following sections we will focus on explaining how to take care of a chicken chick at home, at a particular level, to turn it into a companion animal.
How to raise newborn chicks?
Without a doubt, these little ones are going to be the most delicate. Usually we find a chick already hatched, but in other circumstances it is possible that what we must take care of is still an egg. For example, if the hen stops hatching them. We should never be the ones to remove the eggs from a broody hen, which is the name given to the one that is brooding.
Chick rearing in incubator
In the case of seeing us with an egg, the ideal would be to raise these chicks in an incubator, since it guarantees us the necessary conditions of temperature and humidity, essential for the chicks to hatch. It is important that we contact an expert to try to date the egg as much as possible, since there is necessary care that depends on the moment of development. The chicks remain growing in the egg for 21 days. For example, until day 18 the eggs should be turned, but not after. Also, humidity and temperature should be graduated according to the estimated age of the egg.
If all goes well, after the incubation time, the chicks will begin to break the shell a little and, in a matter of 10-20 hours later, they will be able to open enough hole to hatch. We must not intervene in this delicate process, as we could damage the chicken if we remove the shell early.
What to do when the chicks hatch is easier if we have successfully completed the entire egg development process. Once out of this, we can move them to a drawer to raise chicks that can be a cardboard box or a cage, that is, any enclosure that we clean easily and to which we can place a lamp to provide the heat that these are going to need. Newly born. The initial temperature at which we should have the chicks is about 32ºC. It is normal that after hatching the egg they do not eat for a few days. Yes, we will offer them water and start feeding them with a specific product.
Chicken farming: temperature
If we want to explain how to raise chicks, temperature is a basic factor, so we will talk about it in more detail in this section. The heat must be distributed throughout the room, including the floor, by placing a heat or infrared lamp inside. The newly hatched chicks, as we have seen, will need a high temperature, 32 ° C approximately. Each week that passes this can be decreased by about 2-3 ºC. Thus, the temperature for 15-day-old chicks will already be around 28-26 ºC.
How long do chicks have to be in heat?
We will continue to lower the temperature at that rate until approximately 5-8 weeks. At that point they will begin to have their adult feathers, which is an indication of how long the chicks have to be in heat. By that date they can also begin to leave the box where we have raised them and begin to get used to a chicken coop with access to the outside, which is where they should live. The change must be made progressively. With about 3 weeks they could make some forays outside during the central hours of the day but taking extreme precautions because they are very sensitive to temperature variations.
In any case, it is important that we look at the state of the animals, which is what really tells us when to remove the bulb from the chicks or if the temperature provided is adequate. If the chick gets close to the heat source, it may be getting cold. If we have more than one, it is normal for them to get together if this situation occurs. On the contrary, if the little one is located in the place furthest from the heat source, we may be giving it an excessive temperature, which can cause dehydration. One trick is to touch the paws. They should not be cold.
Chick feeding
Finally, to raise chicks properly we cannot neglect their diet. Food and water should always be available to them. Fortunately, this point is simplified with the possibility of finding chick feed specifically formulated for these birds at any time during their growth.
We will give some general guidelines because it will be the vet who adjusts the menu. Thus, it is advisable to start by offering a starter mix for baby chicks, which can continue to eat for approximately 8 weeks. From that age a preparation for growing chickens can be administered. With about 5-6 months, the animal will be sexually mature and we can establish its final finishing menu, always following the advice of professionals.
Some of these chick feeds are also offered in a medicated version. We will only use them if the veterinarian prescribes it, who will be in charge of providing us with information on health care, especially in terms of deworming and vaccinations, which is another of the pillars of successful chicken farming, both to avoid the dreaded red mite in chickens to prevent any other problem. In this way, within the care of chicks we also include periodic visits to the specialist in order to monitor their health and well-being. As it grows, the professional will indicate the steps to follow. Of course, we do not advise keeping the rooster or hen confined in a cage. As a new member of the family, you must have access to the outdoors and enjoy facilities that are appropriate to your needs, with enough space to move freely. You will find all the details about the care of adult hens in this article: “The hen as a pet “.
