What to Feed Chicks

If you bring baby chicks into your home or your existing hen hatches ones, the first thing to consider is what to feed them. Baby chicks are very small, cute, and full of energy. To help them grow strong and healthy, feeding them the right food is very important.

Many new chicken keepers become confused about what to feed their newborn chicks. There are many options, like medicated or unmedicated feed, non-GMO chicken feed, grit, and certain treats. I always keep things simple when it comes to raising chicks. In this guide, I’ll show you how I feed my own chicks from their very first day until they grow into healthy, happy hens.

Importance of Feeding Right Nutrition

It’s all the right food, which decides how healthy and strong your chicks will be in the future. Good food helps them build strong bones, grow shiny feathers, and stay active. It also supports their immune system, so they don’t get sick easily and prepares them to become good egg layers later on.

The first few weeks of feeding really shape how your chickens will do for the rest of their lives. That’s why early nutrition is so important; it’s the base of everything.

Understanding Chick Feed

When you buy chick feed, the labels can look confusing with all those numbers and terms. But once you understand them, choosing the right feed becomes easy. The best chick feed contains the following essential nutrients.

• Protein helps chicks grow fast and strong.
• Lysine and methionine are special nutrients that help with muscle and feather growth.
• Calcium and phosphorus build strong bones, but they must be in the right balance.
• Vitamins and minerals keep chicks healthy and full of energy. For example, Vitamin D helps absorb calcium, while B vitamins help with growth.
• Most feeds use grains like corn and soy because they give chicks the energy they need.

When checking a feed bag, always look for the protein level, whether it’s medicated or not. Or are there any extra nutrients that have been added? Knowing this helps you pick the best feed for your chicks’ age and growth stage.

The Chick Starter Feed

The first ever feed to provide your chicks is called the starter feed. This is what helps them grow fast and stay healthy during their early weeks.

Starter feed is usually a fine mash or small crumbles packed with protein, around 18–24%. This high protein helps chicks build strong bodies and grow soft, shiny feathers.

Medicated or Unmedicated Starter Feed?

The thing that confuses chicken keepers the most is whether they should choose medicated or unmedicated starter feed. There’s a clear difference between the two.

Medicated Starter Feed

Medicated starter feed has a small amount of a medicine called amprolium. This helps protect chicks from a common illness called coccidiosis, which spreads easily where many chicks are kept together or when brooders are reused. It’s a good choice for chicks that haven’t been vaccinated against coccidiosis. However, if your chicks have already been vaccinated, don’t give them medicated feed, as it can counteract the vaccine’s effect.

Manna Pro Chick Starter Feed

The Manna Pro Chick Starter Feed consists of small and non-dusty crumbles, making it easy for the chicks to eat. I usually mix a little water in and serve it in shallow pans. I clean the pans twice a day and keep them warm between 85 to 90 degrees, and they’re growing fast and staying healthy.

The best part is that it’s medicated, so it helps protect them from coccidiosis. I lost a few chicks before switching to Manna Pro, but since then, I haven’t had any issues. The bag lasts a long time and stays fresh if it is closed properly.

Unmedicated Starter Feed

Unmedicated starter feed, on the other hand, doesn’t have any medicine in it. It’s best for vaccinated chicks or those being raised in a clean area with low risk of disease. It also helps vaccinated chicks build their own natural immunity.

Both medicated and unmedicated feeds support strong early growth. The thing to look for is what suits your flock’s needs best.

For non-medicated, my first choice is the Manna Pro (check it on Amazon). I always stick to this one, and it has never disappointed me yet. Its bag is full of vitamins and minerals, providing complete nutrition for baby chicks.

You can also go with Purina non-medicated chick feed, as they have prebiotics and probiotics, which keep your chicks’ immune systems strong. This feed provides them with all the necessary nutrition, so you don’t need to add any extra supplements.

After learning about feeding baby chicks, check out how to tell a rooster from a hen. It’ll help you spot the difference long before the crowing starts. Once you know which is which, you can also provide the right type of feed for each, since hens and roosters have slightly different dietary needs.

Wet Feed and Treats

Many chicken keepers like to offer chicks a soft and easy-to-eat mix called grool. This is made by soaking chick starter feed in warm water until it becomes soft and slightly mushy. The texture makes it easier for tiny chicks to peck and swallow the feed. It encourages them to start eating sooner and obtain the necessary nutrition for healthy growth.

In addition to grool, provide your newborn chicks with small live or dried insects, such as worms or crickets. It stimulates chicks to their natural foraging behavior. While not strictly necessary, this can help them learn how to hunt and explore their environment, much like a mother hen teaches her chicks.

In situations where starter feed isn’t available, use scrambled eggs or boiled egg yolks. However, this should only be used as a temporary feed. These provide a high-protein alternative that is easily digestible for chicks. It also keeps them nourished until proper feed can be offered.

As your chicks grow, their diet changes quite a bit. You can check out my guide on what to feed chickens to learn how to keep them healthy as they mature.

Essential Additions to Feed Newborn Chicks

When raising chicks, food alone isn’t enough. They also need grit, clean water, and sometimes a few supplements to stay healthy and grow strong.

Grit

Chicks don’t have teeth, so they use grit to grind up food in their gizzard. If your chicks are eating only commercial starter feed, they don’t need grit because the feed is soft and easy to digest. But if you give them treats, bugs, or greens, start offering chick-sized grit from around one week of age. I usually keep it in a small dish next to their feed, and they eat it when they need it.

Fruits and Vegetables

Safe fruits for chicks include tiny pieces of apple, mashed banana, small bits of watermelon, and blueberries. You can also give them vegetables like spinach, lettuce, and kale, but make sure they are finely chopped. Cooked or soft peas, grated carrots, and peeled cucumber are also good for them.

Water

Water is even more important than feed. Young chicks can get sick or die quickly if they don’t drink enough. I make sure they always have clean, fresh water available. You can use regular chick founts, which are easy to use but can get messy.

You can also use nipple drinkers. They stay cleaner, but require some training. Keep the water at chick height and out of direct sunlight. Don’t forget to clean it every day. For very small chicks, I sometimes add a few marbles or small stones in the water dish so they don’t accidentally drown.

Supplements

I personally pay a lot of attention to supplements for my chicks. The right additions can help their growth and immunity.

• Probiotics aid digestion, particularly after stress or illness.
• Electrolytes are useful during hot weather or stressful situations to keep chicks hydrated and active.
• Vitamins can give a boost if chicks look weak or grow slowly.
• Calcium supplements, such as crushed eggshells or oyster shells, are useful later when pullets are approaching laying age, around 18 weeks. These should be offered in a separate container.

The Chick Feeding Schedule

If you hatched the chicks yourself, they do not need food for the first 24 hours. They rely on the yolk they absorbed while inside the egg, which provides essential nutrients. However, if you bought chicks from a store or hatchery, you should start feeding them chick starter feed right away. Continue this starter feed for the first few weeks, which is high in protein to help them grow fast.

After about six to eight weeks, they transition to grower feed, which has slightly less protein but the right balance of nutrients to support steady growth. Once your hens start laying eggs, they need layer feed, which has extra calcium to help form strong eggshells.

Always make the switch slowly so their stomachs don’t get upset. When changing from one feed to another, gradually increase the new feed over a week or so until the change is complete. This gentle switch helps prevent stress and digestion problems. Follow this simple thumb rule.

• Days 1-3: 75% old feed, 25% new feed.
• Days 4-6: 50% old feed, 50% new feed.
• Days 7-9: 25% old feed, 75% new feed.
• Day 10 onwards: 100% new feed.

Don’t forget about feeders. Use a small chick feeder that’s easy for them to reach and keeps food clean. It helps reduce waste and keeps their feed fresh.

Feeding’s just one part of raising healthy chicks. They also need a safe home. After reading what to feed baby chicks, don’t miss this step-by-step guide on how to build a chicken coop, even if you’re a total beginner.

How Much to Feed Baby Chicks?

Baby chicks should have constant access to food because they eat small amounts frequently throughout the day. On average, a chick eats about 0.25 to 0.35 ounces (7–10 grams) of starter feed per day during the first week. This gradually increases as they grow.

A good rule is to keep the feeder about one-third full at all times and replace any old or damp feed daily. Always provide fresh, clean water, as chicks can dehydrate quickly.

Once your chicks grow up, thanks to the right diet you have provided to these cute birds. Now you’ll want to know how long they might live. It’s time to read our complete guide on chicken lifespan by breed to help you plan ahead.

Foods That Should Not Feed to Chicks

Some foods can be dangerous for chicks, even in small amounts. Below is the list of foods you should never give to your newborn chicks.

• Avocados are unsafe for almost all kinds of birds. It contains a toxin known as persin that can cause severe illness in chickens.
• Rhubarb leaves, not their stalk, are rich in oxalic acid, which can harm the kidneys.
• Green potatoes or tomato leaves contain solanine, a poisonous substance.
• Chocolate, coffee, and alcohol all contain chemicals that are highly toxic to birds.
• Salty or processed foods can cause dehydration or poisoning.
• Dried or undercooked beans have a toxin that’s deadly unless fully cooked.
• Garlic and onions can severely affect red blood cells, leading to anemia and potential weakness.
• Moldy or spoiled food may contain dangerous bacteria and toxins.
• Citrus fruits can upset their stomach if eaten too much.

If you ever notice your chicks acting weak, sleepy, or experiencing diarrhea after eating something new, stop feeding it immediately and contact a veterinarian. It’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to their tiny stomachs.

Got your chicks eating right? Great! Now it’s time to make sure they have enough room to grow. Check out how much space chickens need for a happy, stress-free flock.