New Chick

Care Instructions

ATTENTION: IMPORTANT SAFE HANDLING INSTRUCTIONS

Live poultry (chicks, chickens, ducklings, ducks, geese, guinea fowl, and turkeys) weakened immune systems shouldn’t handle or touch chicks, ducklings, or
can spread Salmonella germs even if they look healthy and clean. When spread other poultry. They are more likely to get sick from germs like Salmonella.
to people, these germs can lead to an illness that can be mild, or severe and life- • D
 on’t snuggle or kiss poultry because germs could get into your mouth and
threatening for certain people. Here are a few simple tips to help you protect make you sick.
yourself and your family:
• D
 on’t let live poultry into any human living areas, especially in bathrooms and
areas where food or drink are prepared, served, or stored.
• A
 lways wash your hands with soap and water right after touching backyard
poultry, their eggs, or anything in the area where they live and roam. For more tips and safe handling information, visit
• Children younger than 5 years, adults older than 65 years, and people with https://www.cdc.gov/backyardpoultry or call 1-800-CDC-INFO.

Supplies the chicks better traction. After a few days, you can slowly change out the
non-slip surface with bedding such as chopped straw, shredded newspaper, or
shredded cardboard. Always make sure it is kept dry to deter mold. Remember
As you pick up your new chicks, be sure
to wash your hands with soap and water immediately after changing the
and get all the supplies you’ll need. bedding or anything in their area.
Taking them home...
Keeping Them Warm
Coop Waterer Chicks need to be kept in a warm place until they are fully feathered. The
Shavings Feeder temperature at the bottom of the brooding area should be 95 degrees F to
start and reduced at least five degrees each week until chicks are a month
Starter/Grower Feed Thermometer old. Use a brooder lamp clipped over one side of the brooding area so the
Chick Grit Brooder chicks can choose whether to be under the light/heat or not. Paying attention
Probiotics & Electrolytes Brooder Lamp & Bulb to the chicks’ behavior is important in understanding if they are hot or cold in
the enclosure. If chicks are crowded together directly under the heat source,
then they are cold. If they are around the edges of the brooding area, then they
are too hot. Adjust the height of the lamp accordingly and give them enough
Delivery & Pick-up room to move in and out of the light to regulate their body temperatures. To
Keep the chicks in the box and place on the floor so they won’t slide if the prevent fires, be sure that the heat lamp is secure and not near any materials
vehicle comes to a sudden stop. If it is cold outside, keep the heater going that may catch fire. As a reminder, poultry should not be kept in human living
inside the vehicle. If it is hot outside, do not leave chicks in a closed car. areas, bathrooms, or places where food is prepared/stored, such as kitchens or
Chicks are available for online purchase. Orders will ship Monday-Wednesday outdoor patios.
of each week. Eggs ship via USPS to your local Post Office for pick-up. You will
receive a call at the phone number you provide when placing your order. They
must be picked up within 24 hours.
Food & Water
Set out water and chick starter feed in separate containers. Keep both food
and water clean and free of droppings. A 5 qt. waterer should be adequate for
Once at Home up to 32 birds and a 7 lb. chick feeder can feed up to 15 birds. If chicks are not
Set up a brooding area in a garage or other protected outdoor space. When drinking, dip their beaks in the water to get them started. A chick fountain is by
raising chicks or ducklings, use a sound structure with walls at least 18 inches far the best way to give chicks water. Saucers or other makeshift containers
high and place the box in a safe area away from drafts and household pets. spill easily, making the brooder area wet and unsanitary. Never let the chicks
Use a screen to cover the structure. For larger numbers, a metal stock tank go without water. For feed, start chicks on a 18-20% protein (24% protein for
can be used in an enclosed, draft-free outbuilding. Do not use a cardboard box broilers) starter ration. At 8-10 weeks old, switch chicks to 18-19% chick grower.
or plastic bin as a brooder area. The brooder lamp can melt the plastic, fall
into the pine shavings or start the cardboard box on fire. Chicks need one-half
square foot of space per bird for the first two weeks. They grow fast, so you will
Odds & Ends
As chicks mature, they will begin wanting to roost when they are resting.
need to expand the area as they grow. After two weeks, increase to one square
Provide roosting opportunities a few inches off the ground, such as a secured
foot per bird.
stick or rock that can hold the weight of the birds, to keep them from roosting
on the waterer or feeder. As the chicks start to feather, on warm days put them
Bedding in a wire pen outside for short periods of time in a draft-free area. Keep an eye
Provide bedding to catch and absorb chick droppings and change daily. This on them and provide a tray of sand so they can dust bath. As you work with the
also prevents the surface from being too slippery for the chicks. Without proper chicks, remember that slow movements are less likely to frighten them.
footing, their legs will not develop correctly, making them spraddle-legged.
You’ll want to have 2-3 inches of litter, typically pine shavings. If your brooding
box has a metal floor, you may want to put down paper towels first to give

For more information

TractorSupply.com/ChickDays
Accessible version: www.cdc.gov/backyardpoultry

HEALTHY FAMILIES AND FLOCKS

Live poultry, such as chickens, ducks, geese, and turkeys, often carry
harmful germs such as Salmonella. While it usually doesn’t make the birds
sick, Salmonella can cause serious illness when it is passed to people.

HANDWASHING PROTECTS YOU FROM GERMS

• Always wash your hands with soap and water right after touching
live poultry or anything in the area where they live and roam.
• Adults should supervise handwashing for young children.
• Use hand sanitizer if soap and water are not readily available.

HANDLE BIRDS SAFELY

• Children younger than 5 years, adults older than 65 years, and
people with weakened immune systems should not handle or
touch chicks, ducklings, or other live poultry.
• Do not bring chicks, ducklings and other live poultry to schools,
childcare centers, or nursing homes.
• Do not snuggle or kiss the birds, touch your mouth, or eat or drink
around live poultry.

SAFELY CLEAN COOPS

• Clean any equipment used to care for live poultry outside, such
as cages or feed or water containers.
• Set aside a pair of shoes to wear while taking care of poultry
and keep those shoes outside of the house.

POULTRY BELONG OUTSIDE

• Do not let live poultry inside the house, especially in kitchens.

• Do not let live poultry in areas where food or drink is
prepared, served, or stored.

Have a Backyard Flock? Don’t Wing it.

Visit www.cdc.gov/backyardpoultry
for more information CS274178A