Guides
Frozen Day-Old Chicks: Falconry, Rehab & Large Reptiles
Frozen day-old chicks are a staple for falconers, rehabbers, and keepers of large reptiles who want whole prey with bone, organ meat, and natural roughage in one feed. At The Feeder Co we stock them SA-wide in packs of 10, 30, 50, or 100 — useful whether you are feeding one bird or running a bigger programme.
Who uses frozen day-old chicks?
- Birds of prey / falconry — a classic whole-prey item for many raptors in training and maintenance diets.
- Wildlife rehab — handy when you need consistent, freezer-ready prey for recovering animals (always follow your facility protocols).
- Large reptiles — monitors, bigger pythons, and similar species that take chicks as part of a varied diet.
- Fussy or recovering feeders — the natural look and scent can help tempt animals that have gone off simpler prey.
Chicks sit alongside our frozen mice and frozen rats if you rotate prey types.
Pack sizes
| Pack | Best for |
|---|---|
| 10 | Trying chicks for the first time, or light / occasional feeding |
| 30 | A single bird or reptile on a regular schedule |
| 50 | Heavier feeders or small multi-animal setups |
| 100 | Falconry strings, rehab, or wholesale-style stocking |
Need ongoing volume? Email info@thefeederco.co.za about wholesale or standing orders — we are based in Randburg and ship nationally.
Handling, storage, and thawing
- Store at −18°C and aim to use within about 6 months of purchase.
- Thaw fully in the fridge or in a sealed bag in cool water before feeding.
- Never feed frozen or partly frozen chicks, and never refreeze a thawed chick.
- Handle thawed prey cleanly; discard anything that smells off or has been left warm too long.
These are whole-prey feeders, not a complete diet guide for every species. Match prey to the animal you keep, and check with an avian or exotic vet if you are building a long-term feeding plan.
Delivery in South Africa
We dispatch Monday to Wednesday in insulated packaging with ice packs so parcels are less likely to sit over a weekend. Collecting in Randburg? Choose Collection at checkout to skip the packaging fee.
More detail on our Shipping & FAQs page. New to frozen prey generally? See switching from live to frozen-thawed.
Ready to order?
Questions on pack size or wholesale? info@thefeederco.co.za.
Wondering whether chicks can replace rodents for your animal? Read when to use chicks instead of mice or rats.
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