If you’re a poultry farmer or just starting your backyard flock, the first seven days of a chick’s life are the most critical. This period, often called the "golden week", determines growth, immunity, and survival rates. According to poultry experts, up to 80% of chick health issues later in life are linked to improper early care.
In this blog, we’ll explore everything you need to know to raise strong, active, and disease-resistant chicks — from temperature control 🥵 to feeding strategies 🪶, hydration tips 💧, biosecurity 🧼, and common mistakes to avoid.
🏠 Step 1: Setting Up the Perfect Brooder
Your chicks’ first home, the brooder, is where they spend their initial week. A poorly designed brooder leads to stress, stunted growth, and even death. Here’s how to set it up perfectly:
1.1 Choosing the Right Brooder Space
- Use a clean, draft-free area — avoid damp, cold corners.
Popular options:
- Wooden boxes 🪵
- Plastic containers 🪣
- Commercial brooders 🏭
Pro Tip: Allocate ½ sq. ft. per chick in the first week to prevent overcrowding.
1.2 Bedding Material
- Best options: pine shavings, rice husk, or chopped straw.
- Avoid newspaper — it causes leg deformities and slips.
1.3 Ideal Lighting
- Use infrared heat lamps or brooder heaters.
- Provide 23 hours of light and 1 hour of darkness to encourage feeding.
🌍 Country-Wise Brooder Space Guidelines
- USA & Canada: Farmers invest in automatic temperature-controlled brooders ensuring stable climates.
- India & Pakistan: Space is often limited, so using multi-tier brooder systems maximizes capacity.
- Nigeria & Kenya: Outdoor brooders with solar heating setups are becoming popular due to power shortages.
🌡️ Step 2: Mastering Temperature & Humidity
Chicks cannot regulate their body temperature during the first week, making heat management essential.
| Day | Temperature | Humidity |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 35°C (95°F) | 65% |
| 2-4 | 34°C (93°F) | 60% |
| 5-7 | 32°C (90°F) | 55% |
Signs of Improper Temperature
- Too Cold 🥶: Chicks huddle together, peep loudly.
- Too Hot 🥵: Chicks pant, avoid the lamp, and spread out.
- Expert Tip: Use a digital thermometer to avoid guesswork.
🥛 Step 3: Water Management — The Lifeline of Chicks
Hydration is critical during the first 24 hours. Dehydration can kill chicks faster than starvation.
3.1 First Drink Formula
Mix 1 liter of clean water with:
- 5g glucose
- 1g vitamin C
- This boosts energy and immunity.
3.2 Daily Water Tips
- Change water twice daily.
- Use shallow drinkers to prevent drowning.
- Keep drinkers away from heat sources to avoid rapid evaporation.
🐤 Step 4: Feeding for Healthy Growth
Nutrition during the first week shapes overall development.
4.1 Choosing the Right Starter Feed
- Use 20–22% protein chick starter for optimal growth.
- Add probiotics for gut health and faster digestion.
4.2 Feeding Schedule
- Provide ad libitum feeding — chicks should never run out of food.
- Scatter small amounts on clean cardboard for the first 2 days to encourage eating.
Pro Tip: Avoid homemade mixes in the first week — they’re often nutritionally imbalanced.
🛡️ Step 5: Biosecurity & Disease Prevention
The first week is when chicks are most vulnerable to infections.
5.1 Keep Visitors Away
- Limit human contact.
- Always sanitize hands before touching chicks.
5.2 Vaccination Schedule (if applicable)
- Day 1: Marek’s vaccine
- Day 5-7: Newcastle + IB vaccine (optional for backyard flocks)
5.3 Cleanliness Checklist
- Disinfect brooder weekly.
- Replace wet bedding immediately.
- Keep rodents and wild birds away.
🧠 Step 6: Understanding Chick Behavior
Observation is key during the first week:
| Behavior | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Active, exploring | Healthy & thriving ✅ |
| Huddled in groups | Cold or stressed ❄️ |
| Avoiding feeder | Possible sickness ⚠️ |
📈 7. Monitoring Weight and Growth Daily
Tracking chick growth ensures that feeding, heating, and care are effective.
| Day | Expected Weight (grams) |
|---|---|
| Day 1 | 38–42 g |
| Day 7 | 90–110 g |
If your chicks deviate from these benchmarks, adjust nutrition and brooder conditions immediately.
💤 8. Rest and Stress-Free Handling
Chicks sleep for up to 70% of the first week. Constant disturbance lowers immunity and slows growth.
- Avoid unnecessary handling.
- Keep noise levels low.
- Ensure dim lighting during resting hours.
🌍 Country-Wise Tips for Raising Healthy Chicks
USA 🇺🇸
- Use automated brooders with smart temperature sensors.
- Focus on organic starter feeds — they’re in high demand.
India 🇮🇳
- Use rice husk bedding — it’s cheap and effective.
- Provide electrolytes to handle high summer heat.
Pakistan 🇵🇰
- Prioritize biosecurity due to high prevalence of Newcastle disease.
- Invest in low-cost solar brooders to manage power shortages.
UK 🇬🇧
- Focus on ventilation systems to prevent respiratory issues.
- Use worming programs if your chicks are free-range.
❌ Common Mistakes to Avoid in the First Week
- Overcrowding chicks 🐥🐥🐥
- Using contaminated water 💧
- Ignoring proper bedding setup 🪵
- Skipping vaccination schedules 🛡️
- Allowing drafts in the brooder 🌀
🎯 Conclusion
Raising healthy chicks in the first week is a game-changer for your poultry business. If you get this phase right, you’ll enjoy high survival rates, faster growth, and improved profits. Start with a clean brooder, maintain optimal temperature, feed balanced nutrition, and practice strict biosecurity.
With the right setup and care, your chicks can thrive — giving you a 95%+ survival rate and a strong foundation for your flock.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q1. What temperature is best for day-old chicks?
A: Keep it around 35°C (95°F) during the first day and reduce gradually by 1°C daily.
Q2. Should I vaccinate chicks in the first week?
A: Yes, vaccines like Marek’s and Newcastle are recommended, depending on local disease prevalence.
Q3. How much space do chicks need in the brooder?
A: Allocate at least ½ square foot per chick during the first week.
Q4. What should I feed chicks on day one?
A: Offer clean water first, then high-protein starter feed after 6-8 hours.
Q5. Why are my chicks huddling together?
A: It’s usually a sign of cold stress. Check and adjust the brooder temperature
Q6. How many hours of light do chicks need in the first week?
A: Chicks require 23 hours of light and 1 hour of darkness during the first 7 days to encourage feeding and hydration.
Q7. Can I use homemade feed for chicks?
A: Not in the first week. Starter feeds are scientifically formulated with protein, vitamins, and minerals essential for development.
Q8. What is the most common cause of early chick deaths?
A: Temperature mismanagement and dehydration are the top killers in the first week.
Q9. How do I know if my chicks are healthy?
A: Healthy chicks are active, bright-eyed, and responsive to sounds. Lethargy signals trouble.