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Feeding newly hatched chicks
What should I be feeding my newly hatched chicks to ensure that they get the best start in life?
 As soon as your chicks have hatched make sure that they have access to water and food to avoid starvation and dehydration. If your chicks have been hatched using an incubator it is a good idea to show them where their food and water is. Make sure that you use a specially designed chick drinker to avoid the risk of very young chicks drowning or catching a chill by falling in it.
Using a specially prepared chick crumb takes the worry out of feeding your chicks as they will have been nutritionally balanced to provide young chicks with all of the nutrients they need for growing.
A protein content of 17-20% is desirable, however remember it is not the quantity of protein that is important but the quality of the protein used, ingredients such as soya will provide high quality protein for growing chicks. There are chick crumbs available which are coccidiostat free for those who wish to use a drug free feed and as long as good hygiene is maintained this will help to reduce the risk of coccidiosis. Most chick crumbs can be fed straight from hatching although again make sure that you use a container that your chicks can eat
out of easily.
By the time they are 6-8 weeks old your chicks will be ready to be moved onto a growers feed, however remember to make the change gradually over seven days to avoid any digestive upsets.
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