Chick Heat, Feed and Water by Week
Chesapeake HatcheryStart the brooder at 90 to 95 degrees Fahrenheit under the heat source and lower it about 5 degrees each week until your chicks are fully feathered, usually around 6 weeks. Keep chick starter feed and fresh water in front of them at all times.
Week-by-week chart
| Age | Temperature under heat | Feed | Water |
|---|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 90–95°F | Chick starter | Shallow waterer, dip beaks on arrival |
| Week 2 | 85–90°F | Chick starter | Raise waterer slightly, clean daily |
| Week 3 | 80–85°F | Chick starter, small treats okay with grit | Larger waterer |
| Week 4 | 75–80°F | Chick starter | Raise to back height |
| Week 5 | 70–75°F | Chick starter | Raise to back height |
| Week 6 | Off heat if fully feathered and nights are mild | Chick starter | Full-size waterer |
| Weeks 7–8 | Room or outdoor temperature | Starter, then grower at 8 weeks | Move outdoors when weather allows |
| Week 18 or first egg | No heat | Layer feed, oyster shell on the side | Fresh water daily |
Measure temperature at chick height, right under the heat source. Leave a cooler area at the other end of the brooder so chicks can move away when they get warm.
Watch the chicks, not just the thermometer
- Huddled under the heat and peeping loudly: too cold. Lower the heat or add warmth.
- Crowded at the edges, panting, wings held out: too hot. Raise the heat source.
- Spread out, eating, drinking and napping: just right.
- Bunched to one side: check for a draft.
Heat sources
Heat plates are a safer choice than heat lamps. They lower fire risk and let chicks rest with a natural day and night. If you use a heat lamp, secure it with two clamps or a chain, keep it well away from bedding and walls, and use a red bulb.
Feed by stage
Use organic chick starter feed from day one until about 8 weeks. Move to organic grower feed until about 18 weeks or the first egg, then switch to organic layer feed with oyster shell on the side. Add chick grit if you give any treats. See what baby chicks can eat for safe treats.
Water tips
- Use a shallow chick waterer, and add clean marbles or pebbles to the tray the first few days.
- Set it on a block as chicks grow, so the lip sits at about back height. That keeps bedding out of the water.
- Clean and refill every day.
Moving outside
Chicks can go to the coop once they are fully feathered, usually 6 to 8 weeks, and nighttime temperatures stay above about 50 degrees. In cold months, keep them inside a bit longer or give them a heat plate in the coop for the first nights. See the best chicken breeds for Maryland, Virginia and Delaware weather.
Quick answers
How long do chicks need a heat lamp?
Usually about 6 weeks, until they have full feathers. Slower-feathering breeds and cold weather can stretch it to 8 weeks.
Can chicks get too hot?
Yes. Always leave a cooler area in the brooder so chicks can move away from the heat.
When can chicks have treats?
After about 2 weeks, in small amounts, with chick grit available.
Getting chicks from Chesapeake
Our 8-week starter feed kit and pop-up chick brooder make setup easy. Shipped chicks travel by USPS Priority Mail to your local post office, and the post office calls you when they arrive. Free local pickup is available on many of our own breeds at 21084 Dover Bridge Rd, Preston, MD 21655. See chick shipping rates and times, read when to order baby chicks, or compare all of our chicken breeds.
