Care SheetSCIENCEMATERIALSCENTER

RegionXIIIEducationServiceCenter

5701 Springdale Road, Austin, TX78723

(512) 919-5351

BABY CHICKS

Several hours after hatching, baby chicks’ feathers become dry and fluffy. Remove these chicks from the incubator and place in a brooder.

If you are receiving baby chicks from the SMC, they will already be a few days old and ready for the brooder.

If you do not have a brooder, instructions are included for making one.

MAKING A BROODER:The brooder can be made from a box or an aquarium. You may need need a lid to achieve the correct temperature in your brooder. Use a clamp-light as a heat source. The size of bulb you need will depend on the size of your brooder and how well it contains heat. Be sure the light does not come into contact with flammable materials (such as the cardboard box or lid). Cover the bottom of the brooder for the first few days with a rough cloth to avoid spraddle-leg condition.

TEMPERATURE:Regulate the temperature by adjusting the height of the light. Use a thermometer to accurately gauge the temperature. The temperature should initially be 95ºF at the warmest place in the brooder; there should also be space for the chicks to move out of the warmest spot as they choose. After 5 days, decrease the temperature to 90ºF. Decrease to 85ºF after five more days, 80ºF after five more days, then room temperature five days later.

FOOD and WATER:Chick starter food is available at most feed stores and pet stores. A shallow dish of chick starter should be placed near the warmer part of the brooder. The water dish should also be shallow and lined with crinkled aluminum foil. The sparkle of the foil will attract the chicks’ attention and ensure that they drink. Water should also be placed near the warmest part of the brooder.

  • The SMC does not provide food or brooders for baby chicks.
  • You must arrange for a place for the chicks to live after you raise them. They may not be returned to the SMC.
  • Anyone who handles the animals or their caging must wash their hands with soap and water.
  • Students should only work with the animals when supervised by an adult.