How old does a baby chick have to be to be able to take care of itself?

Answer 1

Chicks (baby chickens) are quite precocious and can essentially take care of their basic needs within a day or two of birth. They will peck and eat ground grains and with only minimal encouragement drink from a small bowl. However, chicks are generally kept in a brooding enclosure with heat lamp to protect them from drafts and provide the warmth their mothers would normally provide. They need this extra protection for 3-4 weeks until their baby down is covered with real feathers--then they're ready for life outside in the open air.