Raising a healthy homestead brood means knowing what to feed chicks as they grow and mature. Chicks can eat just about any food from a very young age, however, it’s important that we monitor what foods they eat, how much they eat of any given food, and how frequently we give them certain foods. Their small body size means they eat less food overall. Less food consumption means the foods they do consume MUST be nutrient dense and provide them with the nutrition they need to develop properly. This chick feeding guide will help you determine how to feed your homestead brood so they stay healthy and grow-up into a healthy homestead flock!
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Feed Guide
The base of your brood’s diet should be a nutritionally complete chick feed. Since a chick’s dietary needs change as it matures, you will have to switch feeds several times as your brood grows and matures.
Chick Starter Feed (20-24% protein)
Age:
- day 1 through 4 weeks of age
- Broilers: day 1 through 3 weeks of age
Frequency: provide free-choice at all times
Amount: keep free-choice feeder full
Tips:
- Chick starter feed is usually sold in crumble form and can be medicated or non-medicated.
- Crumbles are easier for young chicks to eat.
- Avoid medicated chick feed for your homestead chicks. Use natural supplements for boosting your brood’s immune systems rather can medicated feed.
- Chick starter feed is high in protein to provide the proper building blocks for maturing bones, muscles, and cardiovascular systems.
- A high protein chick starter feed is especially beneficial for rare and heritage chicken breeds who benefit from the higher protein at an early age.
Chick Starter/Grower Feed (18-20% protein)
Age:
- day 1 through 20 weeks of age OR 5 weeks through 20 weeks of age
- Broilers: 3 weeks through 5 weeks of age
Frequency: provide free-choice at all times
Amount: keep free-choice feeder full
Tips:
- Chick starter/grower feed is usually sold in crumble form, but some brands do sell a whole grain chick starter/grower feed.
- Whole grain chick starter/grower feed will actually be a combination of crushed whole grains to make the grains easier for young chicks to eat.
- Chicks can be switched from a chick starter feed to a chick starter/grower feed at 5 weeks of age. Alternatively, chicks can also be started right from the start on a chick starter/grower feed.
- If you think your chicks would benefit from more protein at a young age, use chick starter feed then switch to a starter/grower feed.
- Many hybrid chicken breeds can be started on a chick starter/grower feed rather than a straight chick starter feed.
- Chick starter/grower feed is also high in protein to help with proper growth and development.
Switching Feeds- Whenever you are switching feeds that contain different protein levels, you will want to do so gradually. A sudden change in protein levels can cause digestive upset and diarrhea in chickens.
Chick Grower Feed (16-18% protein)
Age: 5 weeks through 20 weeks of age
Frequency: provide free-choice at all times
Amount: keep free-choice feeder full
Tips:
- Chick grower feed is a feed formulated for growing chicks who will not be used for meat purposes.
- Chick grower feed is usually sold in crumble form, but some whole grain mixes can also be found.
- It is lower in protein, but still provides all the nutrition, energy, and protein needed by chicks as they finish growing and maturing.
- You can switch chicks from a chick starter feed to a chick grower feed and skip the starter/grower feed option.
- Chick grower feed does not contain enough protein for broilers, so you must use a starter/grower feed for raising meat birds.
Switching to Layer Feed– Once your chicks reach 20 weeks of age, they can be switched from a grower diet to a layer diet! Choose a nutritionally complete mixed flock feed or layer feed to give your young chickens as they reach full maturity.
Finisher Feed (21% protein)
Age: broilers only, 5 and 6 weeks of age
Frequency: provide free-choice at all times
Amount: keep free-choice feeder full
Tips:
- Finisher feed is a type of feed specifically formulated for growing meat chickens, or broilers.
- Finisher feed is lower in protein than a starter feed but higher in protein than a grower feed.
- Broilers and other meat birds should be fed a finisher feed for the last two weeks of their maturing life before butchering.
Supplement Guide
Some dietary supplements may be necessary to provide as your chicks grow and expand their palette. Here are a few popular chick supplements and how to use them.
Chick Grit
Age: day 1 through 16-20 weeks of age
Frequency: whenever foods are provided that are different from the daily feed
Amount: offer free-choice
Tips:
- Chick grit does not need to be provided in conjunction with a regular chick feed, whether the feed be crumbles or whole grains.
- Grit helps chicks digest new foods that are different from their daily feed.
- If you are buying grit, make sure you get chick grit and not layer grit. Chick grit is smaller and easier for young chicks to consume.
- Chicks who have access to forage, dirt, or sand do not need chick grit since they will get natural grit from their surroundings.
- As the chicks grow, they can be switched over to a layer grit if you are providing store-bought grit.
- In the brooder, a grass or herb clump with dirt still stuck to the roots makes a great source of free-choice natural grit.
- Provide the free-choice grit whenever you are offering the chicks a healthy snack or treat, then remove the free-choice grit once the snack or treat is finished.
- Don’t let the chicks consume too much grit, which can be detrimental to their health.
Probiotics
Age: day 1+
Frequency: no more often than once a week for liquid probiotics, up to twice a week for food-based probiotics
Amount: follow instructions on probiotic supplement
Tips:
- Probiotics stimulate good gut flora in the digestive tract. They also help boost the immune system to ward off disease and parasites.
- It is a good idea to start your chicks off on some probiotic water or probiotic enriched food for the first 24 hours of their life in their new home.
- Farm store chicks, mail-ordered chicks, and home hatched chicks all benefit from probiotics since probiotics help prevent stress-related ailments and disease.
- There are many different kinds of probiotics, so make sure you choose a brand that is all-natural and not enriched with other vitamins and minerals.
- Some foods are naturally rich in probiotics. You can offer free-choice probiotic rich foods on occasion to your chicks. Since the foods will be part of their daily diet, make sure the foods are nutrient-rich and don’t exceed more 1/4 tsp. per chick.
Probiotic Rich Foods– fermented feed, fermented vegetables, yogurt (don’t give to chicks under 8 weeks of age since chicks have a hard time digesting dairy)
Scratch Grains
Age: 24-48 hours old
Frequency: use as an energy-rich supplement to provide instant energy and help keep droppings firm to prevent pasty butt
Amount: 1/4 tsp. crushed scratch grains per chick
Tips:
- Scratch grains should only be offered to chicks who are 24-48 hours old and the grains should be crushed into small enough pieces that the chicks can easily eat the crushed grains.
- Chicks who are 24-48 hours old are still receiving nutrients from the yolk sac they absorbed prior to hatching. The scratch grains simply give them instant energy as they learn where to find food, water, and heat in their brooder.
- Crushed whole grains can also help keep the chick’s droppings firm and less sticky, which helps prevent pasty butt.
- Chicks older than 48 hours old should not be fed scratch grains since the grains will take away from the nutrition they should be receiving from their daily feed.
Vitamin & Mineral Supplement
Age: day 1+
Frequency: use for sick or ailing chicks
Amount: follow instructions on supplement bottle/packet
Tips:
- A vitamin and mineral supplement can be given to a chick who is acting sickly and lethargic.
- Providing additional vitamins and minerals can give the chick’s body the resources it needs to fight whatever is causing it to be sickly.
- Don’t provide a vitamin and mineral supplement if your brood is healthy and acting normal. The additional vitamins and minerals can cause a dietary imbalance leading to other health issues.
Natural Supplements Guide
In addition to dietary supplements, there are also some natural supplements you may choose to give your chicks. These natural supplements will help your chicks build a strong immune system and mature into healthy adults without the use of medications or chemical treatments.
Honey Water
Age: 24-48 hours old
Frequency: give each chick a sip prior to placing it in the brooder, give sickly or ailing chicks additional sips as needed
Amount: each chick can have a sip or two at a time, can provide up to 4 sips a day
Tips:
- The main purpose of providing young chicks with honey water is to give them a natural energy boost that is also rich in nutrients.
- Keep in mind that chicks bought from a farm store are probably older than 2 days of age and usually don’t need honey water.
- Mail ordered chicks and chicks hatched in an incubator benefit from a sip of honey water prior to being placed in the brooder.
- Too much honey water can trigger increased incidents of pasty butt, so just a sip or two is all that is needed.
- For chicks who are lethargic or ailing, a few additional sips of honey water can be provided, especially if they are not eating.
- Chicks should no longer need honey water after 2 days of age as they should be eating their regular chick feed to get energy and nutrients.
Apple Cider Vinegar (ACV)
Age: 1 week+
Frequency: no more often than every other week
Amount: add 1 tablespoon of ACV to a gallon of water and provide as the sole drinking source for up to 12 hours
Tips:
- Apple cider vinegar can be used to encourage proper pH levels within a chick’s body.
- It also aids the digestion of protein.
- However, apple cider vinegar does require an alkaline buffer because of its acidity.
- I don’t recommend offering apple cider vinegar to young chicks. Instead, opt for other natural supplements that help boost the immune system.
- For growing chicks, you can provide apple cider vinegar on occasion to promote good crop health and proper body pH levels.
- As a natural supplement, use ACV when you think the vinegar will help prevent or treat a certain condition or ailment.
Learn More– Learn more about apple cider vinegar and how to use it in this article on How Vinegar Affects Chickens.
Herbs (fresh & dried)
Age: day 1+
Frequency: provide free-choice up to once a day, if the chicks are obsessed with the herbs limit the free-choice sessions to 15-20 minutes
Amount: offer dried herbs in a free-choice feeder and use bundles of fresh herbs as entertainment, chicks usually will monitor their own intake of the herbs
Tips:
- Use fresh herb clumps as entertainment in the brooder. Keep some dirt attached to the roots of the herbs to provide a natural source of grit.
- Place herb clumps in the brooder and sprinkle crushed whole oats throughout the clump for a stimulating foraging activity that chicks love!
- Dried herbs with mild properties can be sprinkled in your brood’s feed for a daily dose of natural nutrition.
- You can also make herbal teas or tonics for your brood. Provide the herbal remedy for up to 12 hours before replacing it with fresh drinking water.
- As a natural supplement, use specific herbs as you see fit. Some herbs promote general good health while others can be used to treat or prevent ailments.
- Herbs can be mixed into feed at a ratio of up to 1/2 cup of herbs per 1 pound of feed.
Learn More- To learn more about using herbs for chickens, check out this article on How to Use Herbs for the Homestead Flock.
Chick Safe Herbs– oregano, dandelion, chickweed, parsley, cilantro, nettles, sage, basil, tarragon, yarrow, dill
Garlic
Age: day 1+
Frequency: provide free-choice up to once a day
Amount: 1 crushed clove of garlic per 4 chicks OR 1 crushed clove of garlic per gallon of water
Tips:
- Chicks will rarely choose to eat fresh, raw garlic when it is provided free-choice, however, some will peck around at it and may consume some. Limited consumption of the raw garlic is perfectly safe.
- If your chicks seem too obsessed with the garlic, remove it after a 5-10 minute free-choice session.
- Offering garlic water at a young age is a great way to get your chicks accustomed to drinking garlic-tainted water.
- Start off by providing garlic water in addition to fresh drinking water to ensure your chicks are still staying hydrated.
- For chicks older than 1 week of age, you can provide garlic water as their sole source of water for 8-12 hours as long as you as you see the chicks are still drinking the water. You can provide the garlic water once a week from here on out if you desire.
- As the chicks get accustomed to the garlic flavor, you can gradually increase to 4 cloves of crushed garlic per gallon of water.
- Garlic is a nutrient powerhouse that has amazing benefits for chickens, so getting your chicks used to garlic is very helpful for raising a healthy flock naturally.
Learn More– Learn more about how amazing garlic is for chickens in this article on Garlic 101- Garlic for Homestead Chickens!
Other Natural Supplements
Age: day 1+
Frequency: provide as needed, use to treat or prevent specific conditions
Amount: amount will vary depending on supplement
Tips:
- Use other natural supplements as needed to keep your brood healthy naturally.
- Remember, chicks have a small body mass, so a little supplement goes a long way. In general, offer about 1/4 tsp. of food-based natural supplement per chick per day.
- If you are not treating a specific ailment, don’t offer the natural supplement on a daily basis.
- If you are treating a specific ailment, use the natural supplement for no longer than 7-10 days before taking a break from that supplement.
- When using a natural supplement, consider if it should be mixed into feed, offered free-choice, administered manually, or mixed into water.
- As the chicks grow, you can increase how much of a given natural supplement you provide or use. They will be eating more food so their feed to supplement ratio can increase too.
Chick Safe Natural Supplements– kelp, brewer’s yeast, herbal tinctures, herbal tonics, cinnamon, cloves
Healthy Snacks Guide
It’s always fun to treat our chicks and watch them go crazy for special treats! However, snack time should be limited to healthy foods that provide nutrition and benefits for growing chicks. Keep in mind that chicks may be scared of new snacks at first, so you may have to show them how fun the food really is just like a mother hen would!
Cooked Eggs
Age: day 1+
Frequency: once a week
Amount: no more than 1/4 tsp. per chick, can increase as the chicks grow
Natural Supplement Usage: can be fed to sickly or ailing chicks who are not eating their regular feed
Tips:
- Scrambled eggs or crushed hard-boiled eggs are the easiest way to feed your chicks cooked eggs.
- Eggs mimic nutrients that chicks would have received from the yolk sac while they were being incubated. Eggs contain all the life-supporting nutrients that a chick needs to survive.
- Cooked eggs are one of the healthiest snacks you can give your brood. However, make sure they are still eating their regular feed since that is what they will be eating for the rest of their life and it contains more protein for proper growth and development.
Whole Oats
Age: day 1 through 2 weeks of age
Frequency: no more than once a day
Amount: 1 week- 1/8 tsp. crushed whole oats per chick; 2 weeks- 1/4 tsp. crushed whole oats per chick
Natural Supplement Usage: use to help treat or prevent pasty butt
Tips:
- Oats are high in fiber, which help keep droppings firm to prevent pasty butt.
- Oats are also a good source of protein, which makes them a fun and healthy snack for chicks to eat in addition to their daily feed!
- Make sure the whole oats are crushed or ground up into small enough pieces so that the chicks can easily it them.
- Chicks will quickly become addicted to healthy oat snacks, so you will have to be careful about how much you give them at snack time and don’t treat them with oats more than once a day.
- As the chicks mature, you can switch to a more varied diet with other healthy snacks and treats.
In Moderation– Try to avoid feeding more than one healthy snack in any given day. You don’t want to take up too much of their daily food consumption with healthy snacks.
Dried Insects
Age: day 3+
Frequency: no more than once a day
Amount: each chick can have up to 3 insects, crush the insects to make them easier for the chicks to eat
Tips:
- Black soldier fly grubs are the healthiest dried insects to feed your chicks. Mealworms and dried river shrimp are also popular options.
- Insects are a great healthy snack that mimic what mother hen would be foraging for her brood in the wild.
- Make sure you are only buying dried insects that are for feeding to chickens. Other sources often provide dried insects that are not harvested sustainably or fed a safe diet.
- As the chicks mature, you can increase the amount of dried insects you give them.
Forage
Age: day 2+
Frequency: daily basis
Amount: n/a
Tips:
- Giving your chicks the opportunity to explore the great outdoors is a great way to raise your brood naturally!
- Start off in grassy forage spots rather than dirt/leaf predominant locations. Make sure the weather is suitable for the age of your chicks.
- If you can’t bring your chicks outdoors, bring the outdoors to them! Grass clumps or weed clumps are great entertainment! Leave some dirt attached to the roots to provide a natural source of grit.
- Make sure any weeds or grasses you put in the brooder have not been sprayed with chemicals.
- Always have the daily feed available at the same time when providing free-choice forage opportunities.
- Forage helps stimulate a chick’s natural instincts and helps your brood build naturally immunity to their environment.
Table Scraps/Treats Guide
While healthy snacks provide additional nutrients and benefits to a chick’s daily diet, table scraps and treats are different. They are generally not as nutrient rich. Even if they are nutrient rich, they usually don’t have a balanced ratio of nutrients. Nevertheless, it’s fun to introduce your brood to new foods as long as it is done in moderation.
Age: 4 weeks+
Frequency: can be provided on an ‘as-available’ basis in moderation
Amount: no more than 1 tsp. per chick, can increase the amount as they grow
Tips:
Safe Table Scraps for Chickens– For a complete list of what foods are safe for chickens to consume, check out this Good and Bad Table Scraps for Chickens List!
Balanced Diet = Healthy Brood!
Hopefully this chick feeding guide has helped you determine what a balanced diet looks like for raising a healthy homestead brood! Here’s a quick review:
Chicks should have a daily diet of chick feed that contains the correct amount of protein for their life stage. In addition to their daily feed, some dietary supplements can be used to promote overall good health. Natural supplements can be used for preventing disease and boosting the immune system. Healthy snacks can be offered in limited quantities as a source of entertainment and additional nutrition. Table scraps and other treat can be introduced in limited quantities once your brood is 4 weeks old.
If you have any questions, feel free to reach out! We are always happy to help fellow homesteaders raise their brood successfully! You can also join our modern pioneer newsletter for weekly tips and support!
by Alexa