Baby chicks are delicate, and you should be extra careful as you try to take care of them. If you are raising baby chicks for the very first time, you will not have a clear understanding of what to feed newborn chicks. That’s why we thought of creating this checklist so that you can understand what to feed your newborn chicks.
Foods that you can give for newborn chicks
What to feed newborn chicks. Here’s a list of foods that you can possibly give for newborn chicks. By providing these foods, you will be able to cater to all nutritional requirements of the chicks as well. You also can feed them a good commercial food ofcourse. This is recommended to give them their optimal diet.
Worms
Worms are a favorite food of chickens. Worms are found in a chicken’s natural habitat, therefore eating them is in its biological composition. Mealworms and red worms, in particular, are edible to young chicks. Both are high in protein but don’t overfeed your hens with worms or their system will be overwhelmed.
Cockroaches
Baby chicks can consume crickets, just like worms, and do so often in their natural habitat. Crickets are abundant in protein, fat, and carbohydrates, making them a healthy snack.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are OK for baby chicks to consume; however, they cannot eat the plant, leaves, or blossoms since they contain the deadly solanine. Tomatoes are high in important vitamins K and folic acid, as well as fiber, potassium, and antioxidants. If you have a garden, chuck any tomatoes that aren’t quite right into your coop. Your chickens will appreciate it! Tomatoes are high in vitamins and minerals.
Oatmeal
Oats are considered a superfood since they are high in vitamins, minerals, and protein. Raw oats and warm oatmeal can be eaten by baby chicks on occasion. Oatmeal is nutrient-dense when birdseed and plain yogurt are added.
Strawberry
Fruit is okay for baby chicks, and strawberries are their favorite. Strawberries are high in iron, copper, magnesium, Vitamin B, and potassium, among other vitamins and minerals. Strawberries also include anti-inflammatory antioxidants that help to keep your chicks healthy.
Bananas
Your baby chickens will gladly devour any brown, spotty bananas you have on hand! Bananas are OK for baby chicks to consume, although unripe bananas should be avoided. Bananas are abundant in Vitamin B6 and pyridoxine, as well as magnesium, copper, and fiber-rich carbohydrates.
Apples
Apples are OK for baby chicks to consume, but you should cut them up and remove any seeds for simpler digestion. Another wonderful option is apple sauce. Apples are high in carbohydrates and also include fiber, potassium, and Vitamin K.
Lettuce
Baby chicks can consume lettuce, kale, turnip greens, and chard as well as other vegetables. Romaine lettuce is abundant in phosphorus, magnesium, potassium, vitamin K, and folate, providing practically all of the essential nutrients to your young chick. Iceberg lettuce, on the other hand, is deficient in nutrients and can induce diarrhea.
Watermelons
Watermelons are OK for baby chicks to eat, but they should never eat the rinds or seeds. Watermelon may be a good source of fluids for baby chicks on hot summer days. They don’t provide many nutrients else. Adult chickens scratch through the grass for insects and consume any tiny parts of grass that they find. Grass-eating is usually not a priority for day or week-old chicks. Some owners, on the other hand, offer their chicks the option since it stimulates foraging.
How to feed newborn chicks at home?
After the yolk sac nutrients have been depleted, your newborn chicks may be fed a basic diet of soaked bread (whole grain is ideal) and cooked eggs. Eggs provide the protein and minerals that newborn chicks require, as well as a significant amount of selenium, a mineral that is not found in many other diets.
Your chicks can start eating lush greens like alfalfa, clover, spinach, lettuce, or cabbage as they get older. They enjoy meat scraps, but just a small amount is required. For every ten chicks, one ounce of beef every week is sufficient. Start feeding them grains like whole wheat, barley, millet, or oats. Protein and good fats are provided by split peas, sunflower seeds, and flax seeds. Milk and other dairy products should be fed.
Baby Chicks Require Grit Just like mature chickens, baby chicks lack teeth and rely on grit to ground up their meal. For females, sand is ideal.
The chicks can go out foraging in warm weather after 3-4 weeks if they are supervised. They adore the sight of lush grass. The ladies below have a caring, though massive, babysitter.
When should you start feeding the newborn chicks?
For the first 24-48 hours of their life, chicks rely on the nutrition in their yolk sacs. This is why day-old chicks may be sent by chick hatcheries. The newborns can stay in the incubator for the first day if the eggs were hatched in an egg incubator. They’ll require feed and water when you move them to the brooder the next day. If the eggs were laid by a broody hen, let the family alone for the first day or two. After that, administer water and chick starting feed.
Do you need to teach newborn chicks how to eat?
What to feed newborn chicks. If the newborn chicks are being raised by a hen, she will show them where the food and water are. She understands what to feed newborn chicks and how to select the tastiest morsels from their meal.
It is your responsibility to educate them on how to drink and eat if you are parenting them. When you initially put them in the brooder, you may easily do this by dipping their beaks into the water and food. If they haven’t eaten or drunk in 48 hours, repeat the demonstration until they understand.
Final words
What to feed newborn chicks. By now, you have a good picture of how to feed your chicken and take good care of them. Keep these tips in mind and proceed with feeding the chicken. Then you can raise them healthily.