If we find ourselves with a newborn chicken without its mother and we decide to raise it, it will be essential that we find out about the care it needs so that we can make it grow successfully. In this article on our site 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 cause 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 a 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 orphaned chick, the most important thing is that let's establish their age, because how to raise chicks will depend on their lifespan.
So, until they reach the stage where they can fend for themselves, we're going to have to provide them with different temperature, humidity, and feeding conditions. In the following sections we will focus on explaining how to care for a hen chick at home, at a private level, to turn it into a pet.
How to raise newborn chicks?
Without a doubt, these little ones are going to be the most delicate. The usual thing is that 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 incubating them. We should never be the ones to take the eggs from a broody hen, which is the name given to the one that is brooding.
Incubator raising chicks
In the case of seeing ourselves 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 no later. In addition, the humidity and temperature should be adjusted according to the estimated age of the egg.
If everything 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 the hole enough to hatch. We must not intervene in this delicate process, as we could damage the chicken if we remove the shell before time.
What to do when the chicks hatch is easier if we have successfully completed the entire egg development process. Once out of it, we can transfer them to a chick-rearing crate which can be a cardboard box or a cage, that is, any enclosure that we can easily clean and to which we can place a lamp to provide the heat that these newborns will need. The initial temperature at which we must have the chicks is about 32 ºC. It is normal that after hatching they do not eat for a few days. Yes, we will offer them water and start feeding them with a specific product.
Raising chickens: the 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 enclosure, including the floor, by placing a heat or infrared lamp inside. The newly hatched chicks, as we have seen, will need a high temperature, of 32 ºCabout. 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 the chicks have to stay warm?
We will continue to lower the temperature at that rate until approximately 5-8 weeks At that time they will begin to have their adult feathers, which it is an indication of how long the chicks have to be in the 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 done gradually. With about 3 weeks they could make some incursions 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 pay attention to 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 approaches the heat source, it may be cold. If we have more than one, it is normal for them to come together in this situation. On the contrary, if the little one is located in the place furthest from the heat source, we may be providing him with excessive temperature, which can cause dehydration. One trick is to touch the paws. They should not be cold.
Feeding Chicks
Finally, to raise chicks properly we cannot neglect their feeding. Food and water should always be available. Fortunately, this point is simplified with the possibility of finding for sale chick feeds specifically formulated for these birds at any stage of their growth.
We will give some general guidelines because it will be the veterinarian who adjusts the menu. Thus, it is advisable to start by offering a starter or starter mix for baby chicks, which can continue to eat until approximately 8 weeks. From that age, a preparation for growing chickens can be administered. At about 5-6 months the animal will be sexually mature and we can establish itsfinishing menu definitive, always following the advice of professionals.
Some of these chick feeds are also offered in a medicated version. We will only use them if so prescribed by the veterinarian, who will be in charge of providing us with information on care related to he alth, especially regarding deworming and vaccinations, which is another of the pillars of successful chicken farming, both to avoid the dreaded red mite in hens and 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 he alth and well-being. As it grows, the professional will indicate the steps to follow. Of course, we do not recommend 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 suited 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".
