What Do Baby Chicks Eat: Complete Chick Feeding Guide

Medicated vs. Non-Medicated: Medicated starter feed contains amprolium, which helps prevent coccidiosis (a common parasitic disease in chicks). Use medicated if your chicks haven't been vaccinated. If they were vaccinated at the hatchery, use non-medicated.

Protein content: Starter feed should have 18-20% protein. This supports rapid feather and muscle development in the first weeks of life.

Crumbles vs. Mash: Starter feed comes in crumbles or mash (fine powder). Crumbles are best—they're easy for chicks to pick up and digest, with less waste than mash.

Organic options: Organic chick starter is available but more expensive. It follows the same nutritional requirements but uses organic ingredients.

When to feed: Keep starter feed available at all times (free-choice). Chicks will eat when they're hungry.

Use a shallow feeder (1-2 inches deep) so chicks can easily reach the feed. Deep feeders can make it difficult for them to eat and can lead to starvation in the first few days.

Place the feeder in the brooder on paper towels or clean bedding. Avoid placing it directly under the heat lamp—the feed can get too hot.

Keep the feeder clean. Remove any wet or soiled feed daily to prevent mold and bacterial growth.

For the first day or two, you can spread a thin layer of feed on a paper towel or cardboard. This helps chicks learn to peck and find the food.

Fill the feeder only about halfway to reduce waste. Chicks will scratch and scatter feed if it's too full.

Use a chick waterer with small drinking openings. This prevents chicks from falling in and drowning—a common cause of death in the first week.

Place the waterer on a raised platform (like a small tile or brick) to keep bedding out of the water. This keeps it cleaner for longer.

Change water daily. Chicks poop and scratch bedding into their water, which can contaminate it quickly.

Dip each chick's beak in the water when they first arrive to teach them where to drink. Hold them gently and dip their beak briefly.

Add 1 tablespoon of apple cider vinegar per gallon of water for the first week—this can help support digestive health and prevent pasty butt.

Chick starter gel: This is available at feed stores. It provides hydration, calories, and nutrients in a gel form that chicks can easily peck at.

Boiled egg yolk: Hard-boil an egg, mash the yolk, and sprinkle it on a paper towel or shallow dish. This is a highly nutritious first meal for chicks.

Why only 1-2 days: These are transitional foods—they help chicks learn to eat. After 2 days, transition to chick starter feed as the primary food.

Serve on paper towels: Spread the gel or egg yolk on a paper towel or shallow dish in the brooder. Chicks will naturally peck at it.

Observation: Watch to ensure all chicks are eating. If some are not eating, gently dip their beak in the gel or egg to encourage them.

Why no treats: Chicks have tiny digestive systems and need the complete nutrition of starter feed. Treats don't provide the right balance of protein, vitamins, and minerals.

When to start treats: After 2-3 weeks, you can introduce small amounts of treats like scrambled eggs, mealworms, or finely chopped greens.

Amount: Treats should be limited to a tiny amount (a few pieces per chick). More than that can lead to nutritional deficiencies.

What not to feed: Avoid scratch grains, bread, or processed foods for young chicks. They don't provide the nutrients chicks need.

Observe their eating: Even after introducing treats, starter feed should still make up at least 90% of their diet.

Check crops: After eating, a healthy chick's crop (the pouch at the base of the neck) should feel full and slightly rounded. This indicates they're eating well.

Weight gain: Chicks should double their weight in the first week. Use a small kitchen scale to weigh a few chicks every few days to track growth.

Activity level: Healthy chicks are active, curious, and pecking at food regularly. Lethargic chicks may not be eating enough.

Feather development: By 2-3 weeks, chicks should have visible feathers on their wings. Good nutrition supports rapid feather growth.

If a chick isn't eating: Check the feeder—it might be too deep or in the wrong spot. Dip the chick's beak in the feed or water to encourage eating.

When to transition: At 6-8 weeks of age, chicks are ready to transition from starter feed to grower feed (16-18% protein).

Gradual transition: Mix the new grower feed with the old starter feed in increasing amounts over 5-7 days. Day 1: 25% new, 75% old. Day 3: 50/50. Day 5: 75% new, 25% old. Day 7: 100% new.

Why slow: A sudden change in feed can cause digestive upset, diarrhea, and reduced appetite. Gradual transition gives their digestive system time to adjust.

Watch for problems: During transition, monitor for changes in appetite, droppings, or behavior. If you see problems, slow the transition.

Next transition: At 18-20 weeks, transition again to layer feed (16-18% protein) for laying hens.