What to Feed Baby Chicks? | Starter Feed Basics

Raising day-old chicks comes down to one simple rule: give them a complete commercial starter feed and clean water from the moment they arrive. A balanced starter is formulated for the rapid growth and bone development chicks need in those first weeks, and nothing in your kitchen can replace it. The best feed for baby chicks is a crumble or mash made specifically for them, and the timing of when you switch feeds matters almost as much as what you offer first.

Chick Starter Feed: What It Is and Why It Comes First

Chick starter is a complete, balanced feed that serves as the sole diet from hatch through about 6–8 weeks of age. Most starter formulas run roughly 18–20% crude protein, which supports the fast muscle and feather growth that happens in the brooder. The University of Florida’s extension guidance calls for a pre-mixed commercial chick starter at about 20% crude protein for the first 6–8 weeks.

Starter comes in two main forms:

• Crumble — tiny, easy-to-peck pieces that small beaks handle well.
• Mash — a finely ground version that chicks can eat quickly, though some waste is normal.

You’ll also choose between medicated and unmedicated starter. Medicated feed contains a coccidiostat to protect chicks that haven’t been vaccinated against coccidiosis. If your chicks were vaccinated at the hatchery, use unmedicated starter instead, since the medication can interfere with the vaccine’s effectiveness.

How Long Do Chicks Eat Starter Feed?

Chicks should stay on starter feed for about the first 8 weeks of life, then transition to a grower feed.

Keep feed and fresh water available continuously during the brooding period — 24/7 access is the standard guidance. Chicks eat little and often, and a full feeder at all times ensures every bird gets what it needs.

Feeding Schedule by Age

The switch from starter to grower to layer feed follows the bird’s development, and the protein level steps down as the chick grows. Here’s the standard progression:

Layer feed is too high in calcium for young chicks and can cause kidney damage if fed before laying age. Wait until pullets are actively laying — usually around 18–22 weeks — before making the switch.

Can Chicks Eat Treats?

Treats are optional and should stay minimal. Tiny amounts of scrambled egg, oatmeal, or finely chopped greens are fine once chicks are well-established on starter — If you offer anything other than complete starter feed, provide chick grit so they can grind the food in their gizzard. Keep treats under roughly 10% of total intake, and clean up uneaten moist treats promptly to avoid contaminating the bedding.

Common Feeding Mistakes to Avoid

A few errors cause most chick health problems in the brooder. Skip these and your flock will be better off:

• Feeding layer feed too early — the extra calcium can harm growing chicks.
• Making scratch grain or table scraps the main diet — these lack the protein and minerals a complete starter provides.
• Offering treats without grit — chicks can’t digest whole grains without it.
• Letting treats exceed about 10% of intake — it dilutes the balanced nutrition of the starter feed.

Starter feed is the backbone of a healthy start, and the switch to grower feed at 8 weeks keeps growth on track. Stick to a complete commercial feed, keep water fresh, and the biggest feeding decisions are handled.