How to Care for Baby Chicks: A Beginner’s Guide to Raising Healthy, Happy Chickens
Bringing home baby chicks is one of the most exciting moments for any backyard chicken keeper. Those tiny balls of fluff quickly become beloved members of the flock—and with the right care during their first few weeks, they’ll grow into strong, productive hens.
As chicks mature, use Hen or Roo? to compare the physical and behavioral clues that distinguish pullets from cockerels.
If you plan to hatch rather than purchase chicks, begin with How to Incubate Baby Chicks before setting eggs.
Before ordering from an unfamiliar seller, review How to Spot a Chicken Breeder Scammer and verify the source independently.
If you are comparing feed stores, hatcheries, and local breeders, use Buying Baby Chicks: Hatchery Options before choosing where to purchase.
Whether you’re raising chicks for the first time or refreshing your knowledge before chick season, this guide will walk you through everything you need to know: brooding, feeding, warmth, bedding, and daily care. We’ll also share tips inspired by backyard chicken educator Dalia Monterroso, known to many as the “President of Chickenlandia,” whose mission is helping beginners feel confident starting their chicken-keeping journey.
For an overview that starts with fertile eggs and continues through the early raising stages, see How To Hatch & Raise Chickens.
1. Set Up a Safe Brooder
A brooder is essentially a safe nursery for baby chicks during their first few weeks of life. It should provide warmth, food, water, and protection.
For a dedicated equipment walkthrough, continue with our chick brooder setup guide. When you are ready to compare heaters, feeders, drinkers, and bundled kits, browse our chick brooder supplies.
Your brooder can be:
- A large plastic storage bin
- A livestock trough
- A wooden brooder box
- A small stock tank or brooder pen
- Plastic partition panels for creating a custom setup.
Place the brooder in a draft-free area such as a garage, shed, or spare room.
Bedding
Start with absorbent bedding to keep chicks dry and comfortable.
Good options include:
- Hemp bedding
- Pine shavings
- Brooder pads
Hemp bedding is especially popular because it’s low-dust, highly absorbent, and compostable, making it an excellent choice for brooders.
Tip: My Favorite Chicken® Hemp Bedding helps control odor and moisture while keeping chicks comfortable.
2. Provide Safe Heat
Baby chicks cannot regulate their body temperature yet, so they rely on a heat source.
Traditional heat lamps can work, but they pose a fire risk if they fall or overheat. Many chicken keepers now prefer radiant heating plates, which mimic the warmth of a mother hen.
A brooder heating plate:
- Provides gentle radiant warmth
- Allows chicks to move under it when cold
- Reduces overheating and stress
Recommended setup:
My Favorite Chicken® Baby Chick Brooder Heating Plate provides safe, energy-efficient warmth and encourages natural chick behavior.
Temperature Guide
| Week | Temperature |
|---|---|
| Week 1 | 95°F (35°C) |
| Week 2 | 90°F |
| Week 3 | 85°F |
| Week 4 | 80°F |
| Week 5+ | Reduce gradually until fully feathered |
Instead of relying solely on a thermometer, watch your chicks:
- Huddling = too cold
- Spreading away = too hot
- Moving comfortably = just right
3. Feed a Quality Chick Starter
Baby chicks need a nutritionally complete starter feed to grow properly.
Look for chick starter with:
- 18–20% protein
- Balanced vitamins and minerals
- Fine crumble texture
Starter crumble is easier for chicks to eat than pellets. For a non-medicated option, Chickie’s First Meal provides 20% protein in an easy-to-eat crumble for chicks from day one through approximately 6–8 weeks.
Helpful tools:
- Chick feeders that reduce waste
- Feed scoops for clean refilling
- Covered feeders to prevent bedding contamination
Fresh feed should always be available during the first weeks of life.
4. Provide Fresh Water (and Keep It Clean)
Clean water is just as important as food.
Use a 1 L float-cup chick waterer mounted level at a height chicks can reach without climbing into the cup. Check the open cup frequently and clean it whenever bedding, feed, or droppings are present.
Tips for chick water:
- Change water daily
- Place the waterer on a small platform to reduce bedding contamination
- Clean regularly to prevent bacteria buildup
Many keepers add electrolytes or probiotics during the first few days to help chicks recover from shipping stress.
5. Give Them Space to Grow
Chicks grow quickly—much faster than most new keepers expect.
As they develop, they’ll need:
- More brooder space
- Enrichment activities
- Perches to practice roosting
A good rule is ½ square foot per chick initially, increasing as they grow.
Enrichment ideas include:
- Small perches
- Hanging greens
- Chick grit once treats are introduced
6. Keep the Brooder Clean
Cleanliness is critical for preventing disease.
Daily tasks:
- Remove wet bedding
- Refresh water and feed
- Check for pasty butt (droppings stuck near the vent)
Weekly tasks:
- Replace bedding
- Disinfect feeders and waterers
- Clean brooder walls
Dry bedding reduces odors, bacteria, and respiratory issues.
7. Learn from Experienced Chicken Keepers
One of the most encouraging voices in the backyard chicken world is Dalia Monterroso of Chickenlandia, who specializes in helping beginners succeed with their first flock. She emphasizes that chicken keeping should be accessible and welcoming for everyone starting out. (simplefarmhouselifepodcast.com)
In her educational resources, Monterroso often reminds new chicken keepers that every flock and environment is different, so observation and flexibility are key to good care. (Welcome to Chickenlandia)
Her philosophy—sometimes called the “Chickenlandia Way”—is about learning, adapting, and creating a positive experience for both chickens and their keepers. (Welcome to Chickenlandia)
8. Transitioning Chicks to the Coop
By 6–8 weeks of age, chicks are usually fully feathered and ready to move outside (weather permitting).
Before transitioning them:
- Ensure the coop is predator-proof
- Introduce them gradually to outdoor temperatures
- Move them during mild weather
At this stage, they’ll start behaving more like adult chickens—scratching, dust bathing, and exploring their new home.
Raising Chicks Is the Beginning of the Flock
Caring for baby chicks is one of the most rewarding parts of backyard chicken keeping. With a clean brooder, safe warmth, nutritious feed, and daily care, those tiny fluff balls quickly grow into thriving hens.
At My Favorite Chicken®, our goal is to help backyard chicken keepers raise healthier, happier flocks—from the very first chick.
From hemp bedding to brooder heaters, we design products that make chick care safer, simpler, and more enjoyable for both chickens and their owners.
Because every great flock starts with great chick care.
