Chicks are fluffy and adorable creatures that are often difficult to resist. You may have received one as an Easter gift or want to keep it as a pet; However, be aware that small ones are very sensitive to the external environment and require appropriate care to grow and become healthy chickens. By creating the proper habitat and promoting the health of the chick, you can take care of it and watch it grow.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Creating the Right Habitat
Step 1. Get him a home
Finding the right habitat for the chick is quite simple; you can use different types of "houses", starting from one that you can buy on the market or create it yourself with what you have available. If you have more than one chick, be sure to set up an environment that can accommodate them all comfortably. Consider the following options:
- A simple cardboard box,
- An aquarium;
- A cat carrier;
- A cage for guinea pigs.
Step 2. Put the container in a protected place
Since the chick is so small and young, it is quite easy for it to fall or be caught by predators; you must therefore keep his home in a space from which he cannot fall or escape and which is out of the reach of other pets.
- Consider using a lid that allows air circulation for occasions when you are not at home or cannot keep an eye on the chick. by doing so, keep other animals away and protect the young chicken from possible falls.
- Do not place the container on high surfaces, to avoid accidental falls from an excessive height that could be fatal.
Step 3. Coat the cage
Chicks and chickens are very sensitive to temperature. It is important to cover the walls of the cage with material to keep the baby warm, preventing illness and even death.
- Line the container with old towels or blankets during the creature's first few weeks of life; make sure the fabrics do not have any loose threads that could strangle the animal or be ingested.
- After the first few weeks, he covered the container with straw and newspaper; the base must be covered with a suitable layer of straw, because the slippery surface of the newspaper could trigger malformations in the legs of the animal during the growth phase.
Step 4. Check the temperature
Chicks typically need to stay warm, but they should also live in an environment that offers different temperatures. Install a heat lamp on one side of the cage and make the other cooler; by doing so, the chick can freely decide at which temperature it feels most comfortable during the day.
- Set up a heat source by inserting a 100-watt or infrared bulb (such as the one for reptiles) into a reflective desk lamp and place the latter on one side of the cage. you can find both types of bulbs at pet or household stores.
- Check that the temperature remains constantly around 32-38 ° C during the first weeks of the chick's life. However, the best thermometer is the chick itself: if it takes refuge in the corner furthest from the lamp, it means that it is too hot; if, on the other hand, it tends to rub itself on the blankets or the various specimens gather close to each other, it is necessary to increase the temperature.
- Do not keep his home near heaters or other heating devices other than lamps, in order to maintain a high and constant temperature; also avoid exposing the little creature to drafts.
Step 5. Introduce the chick to its home
Once brought home, you have to get him used to his new home; grab it gently and drop it inside the container. Talk to him and stroke him reassuring him that he can come in and feel comfortable.
Consider staying close to him for an hour or so to help him settle in
Part 2 of 3: Taking Care of the Chick
Step 1. Take commitment seriously
It may be tempting to get yourself a cute, colorful chick for Easter or keep one for school, but you have to remember that it is a living thing and not a toy. Many people find it acceptable to free him in the yard or take him to animal shelters once he is grown up, when he no longer arouses tenderness and love; however, before you decide to get one, you need to make sure you fully take responsibility and care for it throughout its life.
Step 2. Keep the living space clean
Good hygienic conditions are essential for his health; proceed with a quick daily cleaning and a more thorough one once a week.
- Remove all dirty linings and replace them if necessary; however, they must be changed at least once a week.
- Wash the bowls of water and food every seven days using mild soap and boiling water; make sure to dry them perfectly to avoid the development of bacterial colonies that could harm the little creature.
- Clean dirty walls or surfaces; if you are using a cardboard box, consider getting a new one when it gets dirty or starts to smell.
Step 3. Feed the chick
During the first months of his life he has to eat special food; make sure he always has some available and can catch him throughout the day.
- In these first months, offer him some feed for chicks; you could also give him medicated food or not, depending on his needs or your personal choices; you can find this type of products at pet shops or the best supermarkets.
- When the chick is two months old, it switches to a type of growth feed that contains about 17% protein; after another two months he changes the food again, reducing the protein intake or offering him feed for laying hens.
- Make sure it always has food and water available, so it grows quickly; refill the bowl as needed and be sure to clean at least once a week.
- Throw away any old, moldy, or stale leftovers.
Step 4. Ensure a constant supply of clean water
Just as he needs a regular ration of food, you also need to provide him with an adequate amount of water; place a saucer with fresh water in the cage every day and replace it when necessary. Check the saucer a couple of times a day to make sure there is enough water and that it is clean.
Step 5. Insert a bath tub
Most birds "bathe" themselves and clean their plumage by rubbing their wings in sand or dirt. Then place a saucer filled with one of these two materials in the cage so that the chick can clean itself.
However, keep in mind that not all chicks bathe this way; your specimen may wait until it gets big enough and again that would be a completely normal situation
Step 6. Play with your new little friend
It is important for his health that he receives a lot of attention from you; the chick is a friendly, curious creature you can bond with; also, it can be fun to watch him interact with you or his fellow humans.
- Give him a name and be sure to talk to him by saying it when you play with him; hold it in your hand and "hug" it for at least a few minutes several times a day.
- Consider giving him moments to roam freely outside his home during the day; however, check it out on these occasions to prevent it from injuring itself or becoming prey to some other animal.
Step 7. Plan to find someone to take care of it
If you have to get away from home or go on vacation, it is essential to find someone who takes care of them during the day while you are away; ask a few trusted friends or family members to stay in your home to care for the chick, check it out, and refill bowls of water and food every day.
Step 8. Pay attention to possible diseases
By taking care of its environment and feeding it properly, you should be able to keep the chick healthy; however, it is advisable to monitor him and observe his stools daily to make sure he is healthy and does not show signs of possible disease.
- Check for panting while breathing or walking with a limp, as these could be signs that indicate lung or limb development problems.
- Also pay attention to his feces. If you have diarrhea, the feathers may be dull or the cloaca (the opening of the digestive and urinary tract) may be blocked.
- Avoid introducing other chicks from different broods, as they could carry diseases.
- If you notice symptoms of illness or are concerned about your little friend's health, make an appointment with the vet.
Part 3 of 3: Helping the Chick Enter Adulthood
Step 1. Check the feathers
One of the first signs that it is becoming an adult is the development of its plumage. In most cases, you can observe the formation of feathers a few days after hatching.
- Keep monitoring it over the next few weeks to make sure the feathers are growing properly; the growth rate of the plumage should increase during the following weeks and the soft, hairy chick at birth should look more and more like a chicken.
- Keep in mind that it is quite normal for the animal to go through a growth phase in which it appears very clumsy; don't be surprised if the paws look rather thin and the feathers matted, this is a rather short process.
Step 2. Help him grow with the right nutrition
You may find that along with the plumage, your appetite also increases; be sure to give him the appropriate feed for his age and always grant him access to a source of water.
- Feed it with feed for newborn chicks up to the 18th week of life. Once this age is reached, you can switch to laying hen food which contains more calcium to help the animal develop. Purchase a good feed of this type at your pet or livestock supply store. typically, it is a rich blend of proteins, vitamins and nutrients that help the chick grow into an adult chicken.
- If you can afford it, don't give it leftovers from your table; although he can appreciate the taste of human food, it does not necessarily satisfy all his nutritional needs. Consider offering this type of food only as an occasional "treat".
- Make sure they have free access to a source of clean water and food; spread the feed in the cage and make sure the water saucer is always full and clean. As the chicken grows, you need to check the cage a couple of times a day to make sure nothing is missing from what is needed.
Step 3. Transfer it to the chicken coop
When the chick has developed into an adult, it is too big for the comfortable cage you made for it; at this point, you must consider letting him roam freely in the garden, although he always needs a shelter in which to protect himself from predators and the elements.
- You can buy a pre-made chicken coop or build your own. The chicken needs a fenced area of 0, 2-0, 3 m2 to live comfortably. You can find chicken coops at pet stores or get a second-hand one. If you opt for a do-it-yourself enclosure, know that you need to build four walls, a horizontal bar for the animal to perch on, windows to ensure air exchange and a door with a safety latch.
- Take all safety measures when installing the fence. Keep it raised about 15-20 cm from the ground to avoid rodent infestations, cover each ventilation hole with very fine mesh metal mesh to prevent the animal from getting hurt; also check the latch because raccoons are very adept at opening it.
- Only move "teen" chicken outdoors when night temperatures reach 13 ° C. Remember that these animals are sensitive to temperatures during the growth phase and may feel the need to stay indoors for longer to develop healthily.
- While there are generally no problems getting the chicken into an already formed flock, be aware that it may be a little hesitant at first. Give him a gradual adaptation phase by having him play outside or put him in the coop for only a few minutes a day until he's ready.
Step 4. Keep the coop clean
Your feathered friend still needs a clean home to thrive and thrive. Sweep the cage at least once a week and check the bowls of water and food daily to make sure there are no traces of mold, stale feed, or algae.
