eFowl Baby Chick Care Guide

Brooder Setup (Prepare 24–48 Hours Before Arrival)

• Location: Draft-free indoor space (60–80°F), away from pets and living areas.
• Container: Large box, stock tank, or kiddie pool. Avoid totes / aquariums.
• Bedding: 2–3" pine shavings. Sand is also fine and is easier on footpads. Avoid cedar, fine sawdust, and newspaper, which is too slippery and causes splayed leg.
• Brooder Guard: 12" high cardboard or wire ring to prevent piling.
• Heat Source: 125–250W red heat lamp, 18–24" above floor. No heat plates first 2 weeks.
• Thermometer: Place at chick height. Warm zone: 90–95°F in week one; cool zone: 75–85°F, so birds can move away from the heat.
• Light: 24/7 initially; dim to 15W at night after week 1.
• Feeders / Waterers: 1–2 ft feeder space and 1 gal waterer per 25–50 chicks.
• Checklist: Thermometer, starter feed, electrolytes, apple cider vinegar, grit, anti-pick ointment.

Upon Arrival (First 24–48 Hours)

• Call your post office ahead. Be flexible with pickup.
• Unbox gently. No handling, let them rest.
• Water first: warm water + electrolytes or sugar. Dip beaks.
• Feed: sprinkle starter on paper towels. Add boiled egg yolk.
• Monitor warmth and behavior. Be patient.

Heating Schedule

Measure at chick level, directly under the heat source, not at the top of the brooder. The birds are the better thermometer: evenly spread means it is right, huddled under the lamp means too cold, pressed to the walls means too hot.

• Week 1: 90–95°F
• Week 2: 85–90°F
• Week 3: 80–85°F
• Week 4: 75–80°F
• Reduce about 5°F weekly until you reach ambient temperature, around 70°F
• Adjust for breed size and growth rate

A chick that arrives cold and limp is the exception: warm it briefly in your hands or against a heat source until it is active again, then return it to the temperatures above. Do not hold the whole brooder at that temperature.

After week 2, switch to heat plate if desired. Watch for piling. Secure lamps to prevent fires.

Feeding and Watering

• Feed: 18–20% protein starter. No treats until week 5–6.
• Water: Clean, fresh, warm first 2–3 days. Add vinegar for stress.
• Grit: Not needed while birds are on starter crumble alone. Offer free-choice chick grit once you introduce treats or anything other than feed.
• Medicated Feed: Optional for coccidiosis prevention in chicks, and an either/or rather than extra cover: amprolium cancels a hatchery coccidiosis vaccination, so use one or the other. Never feed medicated starter to ducklings or goslings.

Space and Litter Management

• Start: 0.5–1 sq ft / chick
• 4–8 weeks: about 1 sq ft / bird in the brooder
• Grown birds in the coop: 3–4 sq ft / bird + roosts
• Keep litter dry. Move waterers to prevent puddles.

Common Issues and Solutions

• Pasty Butt: Clean vent daily. Caused by stress.
• Lethargy: Warmth first, then plain water with an electrolyte and vitamin supplement made for poultry. Contact us if a bird does not pick up.
• Picking: Reduce heat / light. Add enrichment.
• Piling: Adjust heat / light / space.
• Health: Wash hands before and after handling. Children under five should not handle chicks (CDC), and chicks should stay out of kitchens and food areas.
• Losses: Tell us. Our live-arrival guarantee is there for exactly this, and we would rather hear from you than not.

After 4–6 Weeks: Transitioning

• Outdoors: Fully feathered + temps > 65°F
• Feed Switch: Grower at 8–16 weeks; layer at 18–20 weeks, or when the first egg arrives
• Coop Integration: Quarantine new birds away from an existing flock for 30 days (CDC)

Species-Specific Tips

• Turkeys / Guineas: Higher heat; marbles in water
• Ducks / Goslings: Less heat; no swimming until feathered
• Quail / Pheasants: Higher temp; colored bulbs; marbles in water

Resources and Support

Questions? Reach us through our contact form, and save your post office's number so they can reach you the morning your birds land.

Safe Handling

Wash hands with soap and water after contact. Supervise children. Keep poultry out of living spaces.