What Do Baby Chicks Eat?

September 11, 2022 by Marjorie R. Rogers, MA (English), Certified Consultant

Chicks need a diet that consists of 20-22% protein in order to grow properly. A common feed for baby chicks is a chick starter, which can be found at most feed stores. Chick starter is a complete feed that contains all the necessary nutrients for proper growth and development.

You can also purchase special feeds for broiler chickens or layer chickens if you plan on raising those types of birds.

Most baby chicks eat a diet of mainly pellets, grain, and water. However, you can also supplement their diet with fresh fruits and vegetables. Be sure to chop up any fruits or vegetables into small pieces so the chicks can easily eat them.

You can also offer them live mealworms as a treat.

What Do Baby Chickens Eat

What Do Baby Chicks Eat When First Born?

Baby chicks need a high-protein diet when they are first born in order to grow properly. A common feed for baby chicks is called starter/grower feed and it has a higher protein content than adult chicken feed. Starter/grower feed typically has a 28% protein content while adult chicken feed only has around 16% protein.

Baby chicks also need access to fresh water at all times. Some people like to add electrolytes to the water to help prevent dehydration.

What Do Baby Chicks Need to Survive?

For baby chicks to survive, they need warm shelter, access to clean water, and a nutritious diet. When it comes to providing warmth, a brooder is essential. A brooder is simply a controlled environment that can be used to raise young animals.

It should have a heat source, like a lamp, and be big enough for the chicks to move around in comfortably. The temperature inside the brooder should be between 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit for the first week of the chicks’ lives. After that, you can gradually start lowering the temperature by 5 degrees each week until it reaches 75 degrees.

As for food and water, you’ll need to purchase a chick feeder and waterer (or make your own). The feeder should be filled with fresh chicken feed at all times, and the waterer must always have clean water. Chicks will also need grit – this helps them digest their food properly.

You can give them commercial poultry grit or let them free range so they can peck at dirt and small rocks on their own. Last but not least, baby chicks need love and attention! They thrive when they feel safe and loved, so handle them often and talk to them softly.

Can Baby Chicks Eat Human Food?

Can baby chicks eat human food? The answer is yes, but with caution. Baby chicks can eat most human foods, but there are some that should be avoided.

Raw or undercooked meat, poultry, and fish can contain bacteria that cause food poisoning in baby chicks. Raw eggs can also contain salmonella bacteria. Avoid feeding your baby chicks any food that contains mold or has been contaminated with pesticides or other chemicals.

Also, avoid giving them sugary foods like candy or cake as this can cause them to develop diarrhea.

Credit: squeaksandnibbles.com

What Do Baby Chicks Eat in the Wild

In the wild, baby chicks eat a variety of things depending on their location and what is available to them. Some common foods include insects, grubs, earthworms, berries, and seeds. Baby chicks also consume a lot of grit to help with digestion.

Conclusion

When it comes to feeding baby chicks, there are a few things you need to know. First of all, you need to make sure that they have access to water at all times. Secondly, you need to give them a high-quality chick starter feed.

This is a special type of feed that is designed specifically for baby chicks. It contains all of the nutrients they need to grow and thrive. Finally, you should also offer them some grit.

Grit is basically tiny pieces of sand or gravel that help the chicks digest their food properly.