Caring for Chicks Once They Have Hatched

If you are thinking of incubating eggs for the very first time, it's just as important to consider what happens next. Fiona and Hugh Osborne talk you through what to plan for.

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THEY'VE HATCHED!

WHAT DO I DO NOW?

Most people will go into hatching chickens having fully researched the types of incubators to buy, how to operate them and how to get the best hatch results. What comes next is just as important. There are a number of questions to address such as "What equipment is needed for the chicks in the first few weeks?", or "Are the chicks old enough to move outside?" We have tackled many of these over the years and we'd like to help you plan before the panic sets in!

WHAT TO PLAN FOR

There are three key stages of development that mark a change for your chicks. The equipment may change for each stage and the way that you care for them needs to adapt too, but none of it should be daunting.

The first of the three stages covers the first weeks after incubation when the chicks truly are chicks. This is the high dependency stage where chicks are the least able to care for themselves and where there is a real opportunity to build trust and a relationship that will help you provide better care for them in the future.

The second stage is where the chicks are less dependent but still need supervision and can possibly move from the nursery environment to a “Big Kids” coop! The third stage would be integrating the youngsters into an established group of adults.

THE NURSERY STAGE

Your chicks have hatched and they're bumbling around in your incubator desperate to see the wider world, but what now? If your chicks were with a brood hen, she would take the load, making sure that they have shelter, keeping them warm and making sure that they have food and water. Your role is as a substitute brood hen, so we've named this the nursery stage.

SHELTER