Since a lot of people purchase colored chicks to celebrate Easter, but few know how to care for them, I decided to post a little guide to the biggest problems that most Easter hobbyists encounter. :)

1. Chicks NEED a heat lamp.

This is not optional. Chicks need a heated area that stays 90-95 degrees Fahrenheit, especially until they start to grow in feathers. Without a heat source, they will die. A single heat lamp should be suspended over the cage or box, making sure to leave a cool area for the chicks to move to if they get too warm.

2. Chicks NEED company.

By itself, it's extremely common for a single chick to cry hon-nonstop and refuse to eat or drink. It's a very unpleasant, withering death. If you have a single chick, the kind thing to do is either return it or go out and buy another 2+ chicks of the same size (if one is much littler than the others, it will be picked on).

3. Chicks NEED the proper food.

While adult chickens can live quite happily on scraps and what they forage, chicks should be fed chick feed only. This can be purchased at any farm supply/feed store.

Other Notes

- If any chick develops a "pasted up" clump around it's cloaca (backside), it must be removed. You can use a wetted Q-tip to gently remove the obstruction.

Do you own a chicky? o-o?

HOLY CRAP. you can get a colored chick??

I love chickies. They're so cute ; 3;

I wanna colored chicky.

I wanna purple and blue.
xD <3

I want a colored chickie o_O

My parents raise chickens and I used to incubate & raise them as a hobby. xD

Yep, you can dyed chicks as a novelty. The dye is injected into the egg and the chicks are hatched colored. Their feathers grow in white, so the color only lasts as long as the chicks still have their chick-fluff.

I want a striped one o 3o

edit Doomfishy :: is it harmful to the chick?

Fishy: That's SOO cool. o-o

Waffu: POLKA DOTS FTW.
xD

I have honestly never heard of the practice of buying chicks/colored chicks for Easter. But I'm glad you put out the guide for those who do! It's good to take care of your pets.

Originally Posted by Waffle

I want a striped one o 3o

edit Doomfishy :: is it harmful to the chick?

Nope, not as long as they use non-toxic dyes, which are readily available. A few years ago I raised four dyed chicks and they all grew up perfectly healthy and became normal white roosters.

That's SO cool.
xD

I'm going to see if I can get a black chickie next Easter.
:3 <3

That's freaking AWESOME
I WANT A PURPLE ONE!!!! that's sooo cute! I had never even heard of that!

I now want a colored chickie.
Unless its harmful, then I'm fine.

Wintah :: omigosh I want a blue polka dotted white chick!~

Doomfishy :: that's good to know~ :"D

You has any pictures of them??

WHAT, THERE ARE COLOURED CHICKS?

Excuse me, I have some Googling to do. XD

That is good, however people tend to forget that they don't stay little for long... older chickens are no as cute as their fluffy start and require more care then most people in an urban area can provide. And in some places are illegal to keep. Good thing or I am sure my mother would have a flock >>;

I wish I could get a chick for Easter xD
Though, we have too many cats.

Originally Posted by kerryfox

That is good, however people tend to forget that they don't stay little for long... older chickens are no as cute as their fluffy start and require more care then most people in an urban area can provide. And in some places are illegal to keep. Good thing or I am sure my mother would have a flock >>;

They stay pretty small for a couple months, but afterward they definitely need outdoor space. It's not too hard to find people looking for free chickens, though.

We had chickens, baby chicks and stuff when I was a kid, but never had a colored chick. We had a chicken coop out back. I used to have to gather the eggs in the morning and try not to let the rooster see me or he would chase me out.

I've never heard of a colored chick!! I'd so want one in bright green and another in purple. So long as it's not harmful to them, that'd be awesome!!!

Added a picture to the original post, for those who've never seen the dyed chicks. ^^

Thank you Doomfishy for putting up that picture. I had never seen one...and now I REALLY want one!! They are so cute!!

I probably can't afford to take care of one, though. Oh well...

I don't know if this has been answered yet, but when they inject the egg with the color, does the egg ALSO turn that color...or just the chick?

To the best of my knowledge, the egg doesn't change color.

That sounds pretty cool actually.
How many chicks have you raised total?
Too many to count or?...