Raising Chicks 101

A Care Guide from Day One to 8 Weeks - Presented by Wirtes Grain

Bringing home baby chicks is exciting and rewarding—but it also comes with responsibility. From their very first peeps to their feathered adolescence, your chicks rely on you to keep them safe, warm, healthy, and well-fed. At Wirtes Grain, we're here to help every step of the way. You can find your chick starter feed, pine shavings, vitamins, feeders, and more right here in our store.

Here’s your go-to guide for raising happy, healthy chicks from day one to 8 weeks old:

Week 1: The Welcome Home Stage

What you need:

• Brooder box or tub

• Pine shavings (avoid newspaper—it’s slippery and unsafe)

• Heat source (like a heat lamp)

• Thermometer

• Chick starter feed (available at Wirtes Grain!)

• Fresh, clean water

• Feeder and waterer designed for chicks

Care tips:

• Keep the brooder at 95°F directly under the heat lamp. Decrease the temperature by 5°F each week.

• Chicks need 24-hour access to clean water and starter feed.

• Dip each chick’s beak in water when first placing them in the brooder so they learn where to drink.

• Watch for signs of pasty butt (dried droppings blocking the vent) and gently clean it if needed.

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Weeks 2–3: Growing Strong

Changes to expect:

• Chicks begin growing wing and tail feathers.

• They’ll become more curious and active.

Care tips:

• Lower the brooder temperature to 90°F in Week 2 and 85°F in Week 3.

• Clean out droppings and refresh bedding regularly.

• Continue feeding a high-quality chick starter feed with around 18–20% protein (we stock the best brands at Wirtes Grain!).

• Provide small amounts of grit if you’re offering treats.

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Weeks 4–5: Feathering Out

Changes to expect:

• Chicks will start looking more like little chickens!

• You’ll notice more feathers, less fuzz.

Care tips:

• Brooder temperature should be 80°F or less.

• Increase space if chicks seem crowded—they need room to stretch and grow.

• Introduce safe enrichment like perches or small boxes.

• Continue chick starter feed—don’t switch to grower feed yet.

Weeks 6–8: Almost Ready for the Coop

Changes to expect:

• Nearly fully feathered by Week 6–7.

• More independence and social pecking order starts to develop.

Care tips:

• Gradually acclimate chicks to outdoor temperatures. If fully feathered and it’s warm, they can start spending time outside.

• Keep predator-proofing top of mind—hawks, cats, and raccoons are threats.

• Continue feeding chick starter until 8 weeks, then transition to a grower or layer feed depending on your goals.