When you’re ordering baby chicks online for the first time, it’s natural to wonder: how long can chicks go without water or food? After all, you want your new flock to arrive healthy, strong, and ready to grow.
The answer lies in the yolk sac. Just before hatching, chicks absorb it as a built-in reserve that sustains them for the first days of life.
But how exactly does this yolk sac support them, and why does it make shipping baby chicks safe? Let’s find out.
It might feel unusual to think of chicks traveling without food or water, but that’s precisely how they’re designed to start life. The yolk sac, a small nutrient-rich pouch inside the egg, acts like a built-in care package for your new chicks.
This natural reserve provides:
Thanks to yolk sac nutrition, chicks have enough energy and hydration to handle shipping for 48–72 hours safely. During this time, they maintain their weight, activity, and alertness without needing outside food or water.
Adding feed or water to a shipping box could create unsanitary conditions, so hatcheries recommend keeping the journey clean, dry, and temperature-controlled.
At Freedom Ranger Hatchery, we ship your chicks within 24 hours of hatching, capitalizing on this natural advantage. When they arrive at your door, they’re ready for fresh water, starter feed, and a warm brooder, helping them settle in quickly and grow strong under your care.
Shipping is safe, but once your chicks arrive, your care makes all the difference. These first hours are crucial for helping them adjust and start developing well. Here’s what you can do:
Carefully transfer each chick from the shipping box to the brooder you’ve prepared. A gentle touch helps them feel safe and reduces stress right from the start.
Put clean water in the brooder and gently dip each chick’s beak so they know where to drink. You can also add electrolytes to the water to help them recover from their journey. Staying hydrated after their trip is crucial for maintaining their energy and promoting growth.
Sprinkle starter feed in the brooder. This feed provides the proteins and nutrients that chicks need for strong bones, healthy feathers, and optimal growth. Let them explore it at their own pace.
Keep the brooder around 95°F for the first week, then reduce the temperature by 5°F each week. Proper warmth keeps chicks comfortable and helps them adapt quickly.
Healthy chicks are active, peeping, and exploring. Observing their behavior helps you identify any issues early, allowing you to take action.
Following these steps ensures your chicks adjust smoothly and start flourishing under your care. With a bit of attention in these first hours, you’ll provide proper baby chick care after delivery, setting your flock up for strong, healthy growth while enjoying the rewarding experience of raising them.
When you choose Freedom Ranger Hatchery, your chicks are carefully prepared and shipped to arrive healthy and ready to grow. Here’s why you can feel confident:
Following poultry shipping safety guidelines, you can feel confident that your chicks will arrive healthy, comfortable, and ready to grow strong, giving you peace of mind from the moment they leave our hatchery until they settle into their new home.
Now that you know how long baby chicks can go without food or water, you can confidently order! Their yolk sac provides everything they need for the first 48–72 hours, and our family-run hatchery process ensures safe chick delivery straight to your door.
Order your healthy chicks today from Freedom Ranger Hatchery and enjoy the convenience, peace of mind, and joy of raising your own flock.