What Does a 1 Week Old Chicken Look Like? A Complete Visual Guide

Are you new to raising chickens and wondering what your one-week-old chicks should look like? Maybe you purchased chicks but aren’t sure of their exact age? I’ve been there too! When I first started raising backyard chickens I took way too many pictures of my chicks (can you blame me?) but this turned out to be super helpful for tracking their growth.

In this comprehensive guide, I’ll walk you through everything you need to know about what one-week-old chicks look like, how to care for them, and what to expect as they grow.

The Appearance of One-Week-Old Chicks

At one week old, baby chickens (chicks) have some distinctive characteristics:

Physical Appearance

• Size: They’re still quite small, about the size of a golf ball
• Feathering: Mostly covered in soft, fluffy down (not true feathers yet)
• Color: Usually yellow or light tan, though this depends on the breed
• Wings: Very small, with possibly some tiny wing feathers starting to emerge
• Tail: Virtually non-existent at this stage
• Eyes: Large in proportion to their head, bright and alert
• Beak: Small, pointed, and perfect for pecking at small food particles
• Legs: Short, somewhat weak, but they’re becoming more steady on their feet

My Buff Orpingtons at one week were adorable balls of orange-yellow fluff, while my Easter Eggers already showed slight coloring differences compared to when they first hatched.

Behavior at One Week

One-week-old chicks are noticeably more active than when they first hatched They

• Move around much more
• Actively explore their surroundings
• Make pleasant cheeping sounds (not loud or noisy)
• Start to peck at their food and drink water more consistently
• Sleep in cute piles together or sometimes just fall asleep wherever they are (often looking almost dead, which can be alarming but is totally normal!)
• Are not yet able to roost or fly

Caring for One-Week-Old Chicks

Temperature Requirements

At one week old, chicks need a temperature of around 90-95°F (32-35°C). You can tell if the temperature is right by their behavior:

• Too cold: They huddle together under the heat source
• Too hot: They stay away from the heat source, pant, or spread out along the edges
• Just right: They move around normally, dig, and cheep quietly

Feeding One-Week-Old Chicks

• Feed type: Chick starter feed (18-20% protein)
• Medicated vs. non-medicated: Personal choice (I prefer organic, non-medicated)
• Feeding style: Allow free access to food
• Treats: Limited to small amounts of mealworms to help build trust

Water Needs

• Clean, fresh water at all times
• Change water frequently as chicks will kick bedding into it
• Consider raising the waterer slightly (on an upside-down plate) to reduce contamination
• Adding small, clean rocks to the water dish can prevent accidental drowning

Housing Setup

• Brooder should be clean and warm
• Pine shavings make good bedding
• Ensure adequate space as they become more active
• No need for roosting bars yet, but they’ll appreciate them soon

Common Health Issues to Watch For

At one week old, chicks are still vulnerable to several health issues:

• Pasty butt: Where feces stick to their vent area
• Respiratory infections: Watch for sneezing or labored breathing
• Coccidiosis: A parasitic infection causing diarrhea
• Temperature-related stress: Too hot or too cold can cause health problems

Prevention is key:

• Keep the brooder clean and dry
• Wash hands before and after handling chicks
• Monitor temperature carefully
• Ensure proper nutrition

How Chicks Change from Hatch to One Week

The transformation from newly hatched to one-week-old is remarkable:

1. Day 1-3: Tiny, wobbly, mostly sleeping
2. Day 4-5: More active, stronger legs, more curiosity
3. Day 6-7: Noticeably faster, more coordinated, more vocal

By the end of the first week, they’ve already grown significantly and developed distinct personalities!

What Comes Next: Week 2 and Beyond

Looking ahead, here’s what to expect after the one-week mark:

Week 2

• Temperature needs drop to about 85-90°F
• They become even faster and harder to catch
• You’ll notice size differences between individuals
• Wing and tail feathers start becoming more visible
• Still not smelly or noisy at this stage

Week 3

• Temperature needs drop to about 80-85°F
• More feather development
• They’ll start stretching and flapping their wings
• They become very playful with each other

Week 4-6

• Almost fully feathered
• Much more active and eating a LOT
• They’ll try to fly and roost
• They’ll need a secure living space as they grow

Dos and Don’ts for One-Week-Old Chicks

Do:

• Keep their environment clean
• Provide constant access to fresh water and chick starter
• Monitor temperature carefully
• Handle them gently to socialize them
• Watch for signs of illness or distress

Don’t:

• Let them get chilled
• Introduce treats too early or in large amounts
• Overcrowd their brooder
• Expose them to older chickens yet
• Use cedar shavings as bedding (toxic to chicks)

One-week-old chicks are adorable, fluffy little creatures that require specific care. While they’re still developing their adult features, they’re already showing personality and becoming more independent. With proper care, these cute balls of fluff will grow into healthy adult chickens before you know it!

Remember that different breeds develop at slightly different rates, so don’t worry if your chicks look a bit different from others of the same age. The most important indicators of health are activity level, appetite, and clear eyes.

Have you raised chicks before? What did you notice about their one-week milestone? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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To tell if a 1-week-old chick is male or female, check for differences in wing feathers and tail feathers. Female chicks (hens) will typically have two distinct lengths of wing feathers, while male chicks (roosters) will have wing feathers of similar lengths. Hens may also develop small tail feathers earlier than males, who often have only short, stubby wings and no tail feathers at this age.

One-week-old chicks are covered in fluffy down, but are growing their first true feathers, especially on their wings and tail. They are active, drinking constantly, eating 1-2 ounces of food daily, and are sensitive to cold, requiring a warm environment. You might notice tiny pinfeathers forming on the wings and potentially the start of a tail, which can also be a sign of their sex.

You can determine a chick’s age by observing its down and feather development, size, and by watching for the emergence of comb and wattle growth, which can also indicate sex. A very young chick, less than a week old, will be covered in fluff with no discernible feathers.