Claire Thompson
Raising chicks is an incredibly fun and rewarding experience, but it requires a lot of care and attention. Before you bring your chicks home, you'll need to make sure you have the right equipment and set up their living space, known as a brooder. You'll need a high-sided container, a heat lamp, bedding, a waterer, and a feeder. You'll also need to research the right food for your chicks, which may include probiotics, electrolytes, and grit. It's important to monitor the temperature of the brooder, as chicks need to be kept warm, especially during their first week. You can hang a heat lamp on one side of the brooder and adjust the height as needed, or use a heat plate, but be aware that heat lamps can pose a fire risk. Chicks are delicate, so it's important to establish boundaries with children and pets. Finally, make sure you're familiar with local laws and regulations around chicken keeping, and be cautious of health issues such as salmonella and pasty butt.
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What You'll Learn
Where to buy chicks
When it comes to buying chicks, there are several options available to you. You can buy chicks locally in the spring from farm supply stores or small farms. You can also order chicks online and have them shipped to your door or local post office. Day-old chicks are available from hatcheries. Purchasing from local farmers gives you the advantage of meeting someone who already knows how to raise baby chicks, and they are usually willing to provide advice. They may even take back babies with genetic defects.
Another option is to purchase chicks from owners of small backyard flocks, who often breed their birds and sell either fertile eggs or fluffy hatchlings. Some operate small breeding programs, while others just sell mixed-breed stock. Purchasing and raising baby chicks from members of your community can help build your homesteading circle, but as with all purchases, it is important to be wary.
You can also try the "ask a friend with chickens to hatch some for you" approach. You can purchase chickens at several stages of development—it all depends on how long you’re willing to wait for eggs.
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What equipment you'll need
Raising chicks as a beginner requires some essential equipment to ensure their health and safety. Here is a detailed list of the equipment you'll need:
Brooder Box
A brooder box will serve as the chicks' home for their first few weeks of life, providing a safe and warm environment. It can be a plastic tote, refrigerator box, or any high-sided container. The size of the brooder box should accommodate the number of chicks you plan to raise.
Heat Source
Maintaining the right temperature is crucial for the chicks' development. A classic option is a red heat lamp with a reflector and bulb guard, hung securely to prevent fire risks. Alternatively, a radiant heat plate provides a safer option, though an additional light source is recommended to help chicks see their food and water. The ideal temperature for the first week is around 90-95°F, decreasing by about 5 degrees each week as the chicks grow older and develop feathers.
Thermometer
A thermometer is essential to monitor the temperature inside the brooder box. It should be placed at chick level to get an accurate reading. By observing the chicks' behaviour and referencing the thermometer, you can adjust the heat source accordingly.
Bedding
Absorbent and non-slip bedding material is necessary for the brooder. Popular options include pine or aspen shavings, hemp bedding, coarse sand, or chopped straw. Avoid using materials like newspaper, cat litter, or cedar products, as they can be slippery or toxic to chicks.
Waterer and Feeder
Provide a chick waterer designed to prevent drowning and keep water clean. It is important to ensure a constant supply of fresh, clean water. Additionally, use a chick feeder that prevents food from being scattered or contaminated.
Chick Starter Feed and Grit
Specialised chick starter feed meets their nutritional needs, and you can choose from medicated or non-medicated options. Chicks also require grit, such as chick grit or canary gravel, to aid in digestion, especially if they are fed treats or foraging material.
Other Accessories
Other useful items include a grate or net to cover the brooder box once the chicks develop wings, preventing escape while allowing adequate ventilation. You may also want to provide perches, rocks, or mirrors to entertain and stimulate the chicks as they grow and explore their surroundings.
Remember to research and plan accordingly, as the equipment needed may vary based on your specific circumstances and the number of chicks you intend to raise.
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How to care for chicks
Before the Chicks Arrive
Before you bring your chicks home, you'll need to set up a brooder area—a contained space that provides a warm and safe environment for the chicks. You can purchase a brooder or make your own using a large cardboard box, a plastic tub, or a refrigerator box, depending on the size of your flock. The brooder area should be set up in an enclosed building, like a barn or garage, away from drafts and pets. Cover the brooder with a screen or a towel, and make sure it's large enough to give each chick one-half square foot of space for the first two weeks, increasing to one square foot per bird after that.
You'll also need to purchase a heat lamp, a thermometer, bedding, a waterer, and a feeder. For the bedding, you can use pine shavings, straw, oat hulls, or ground cobs. Do not use cedar shavings, as they are toxic, or newspaper on its own, as chicks can slip and injure themselves.
When the Chicks Arrive
On the chicks' first day, you may need to show them where to find food and water. You can do this by gently touching their beaks to the food and water. Make sure they always have access to feed and water, and that these are kept clean and free of droppings. You can also add probiotics and electrolytes to their water during the first week.
Observe the chicks' behaviour to make sure they're comfortable. If they're too cold, they'll huddle together under the heat lamp, and if they're too warm, they'll stay as far away from the lamp as possible. Adjust the heat lamp accordingly, and make sure the chicks have enough space to move away from the heat source if necessary.
Ongoing Care
Chicks should have unlimited access to a fresh chick starter feed. They don't need grit if they're eating chick starter feed, but if they're eating other food, you can add chick grit to aid their digestion.
As they grow, you can give them a little perch to stand on, or a rock to climb on. You can also take them outside in a wire pen for short periods of time, providing a tray of sand for them to dust-bathe.
To keep your chicks healthy, wash your hands with soap and water after handling them or working in their environment.
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How to handle chicks
Chicks are delicate creatures and require careful handling, especially during their first few days. Here are some detailed guidelines on how to handle them:
Day 1:
When your chicks arrive, they will be thirsty, so ensure you have water ready for them. Dip each chick's beak into the water and then place them near the water source. This is important because not drinking enough water can be fatal for chicks. The water should be at room temperature to prevent chilling, and you should use a shallow water dispenser or add marbles/rocks to prevent drowning.
Week 1:
During the first week, closely monitor your chicks' behaviour to gauge their comfort. If they huddle together, they are cold, and if they move away from the heat lamp and pant, they are too warm. Adjust the heat lamp accordingly, aiming for a temperature of around 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Use a thermometer to monitor the temperature if needed. Keep children and pets away from the brooder, and avoid handling the chicks unless showing them where food and water are or for health assessments.
Week 2:
By the second week, your chicks will be ready for more interaction. Handle them as much as possible to get them used to human contact. You can start picking them up and even singing to them or letting them sleep on your lap. Continue to provide probiotics and electrolytes in their water, and ensure they have plenty of chick feed.
Week 3:
In the third week, you will notice lots of new feathers coming in. Your chicks will still need their heat lamp, but you can raise it higher, so the temperature is around 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Continue to provide fresh, clean water, and ensure they have enough space to move around and explore.
Week 5:
By the fifth week, your chicks will be noticeably larger with many new feathers. If the temperature is 70 degrees Fahrenheit or higher, you may no longer need the heat lamp. Continue to provide plenty of clean water and food, and ensure they have space to run around and explore.
Week 6 and Beyond:
From the sixth week onwards, you can start transitioning your chicks to an outdoor coop. Ensure the temperature is steadily above 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and introduce them gradually to minimise stress and conflict if there are older chickens in the coop.
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How to transition chicks to living outside
When transitioning chicks to living outside, there are several factors to consider, including the weather, the chicks' age, their feather growth, and their level of comfort with their new environment. Here are some detailed guidelines to help with the transition:
Weather Conditions:
The ideal weather conditions for transitioning chicks outdoors are mild temperatures above 65°F (18.3°C). If the temperature is too high or too low, it may be necessary to delay the transition or provide additional cooling or heating measures, such as fans or a Sweeter Heater. Keep in mind that chicks are sensitive to temperature changes, so a gradual adjustment is best.
Age and Feather Growth:
The typical age for chicks to transition outdoors is around 6 to 8 weeks. By this age, they are likely to be mostly feathered and may have outgrown their brooder box. However, feather growth can vary, so observe the chicks' progress and ensure they are mostly feathered before transitioning.
Gradual Introduction:
To reduce stress and behavioural problems, gradually introduce the chicks to their outdoor coop over several weeks. Initially, set up a separate area within the coop for the chicks, separated from any older chickens by a wire partition. This allows the chicks to get used to their new surroundings while being able to see and smell the older flock. After about a month, allow the chicks to be released during the day only, and then fully integrate them after two weeks.
Comfort and Security:
Ensure that the outdoor coop is secure and covered on all sides, including the top, to protect the chicks from predators. Provide ample space for them to move around, but avoid giving them too large an area, as it will be harder to secure. Place their feeders, waterers, and familiar objects, such as their brooder plate, in the coop to provide a sense of security.
Monitoring and Adjustment:
During the transition, closely monitor the chicks' behaviour. Noisy and huddled chicks may indicate they are cold or stressed by the new environment. Observe their exploration, eating habits, and overall contentment. If they seem uncomfortable or unable to adjust, consider bringing them back inside until they are ready for the transition.
Temperature Regulation:
In their first few weeks, chicks require a heat lamp to maintain a temperature of around 100°F (37.8°C) or 90-95°F (32-35°C), gradually decreasing the temperature by 5°F (2.8°C) each week. By the fifth week, aim for a temperature of around 70°F (21°C). Once the chicks move outdoors, they should not require supplemental heat if the temperature remains above 65°F (18.3°C).
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Frequently asked questions
You will need a brooder box, a heat source, bedding, a waterer, and a feeder.
You can buy chicks at farm supply stores, local farms, or online. You can also ask a friend with chickens to hatch some for you.
You should feed chicks chick grit, chick starter feed, and electrolytes or probiotics in their water.
Salmonella and coccidiosis are two health issues to be aware of when raising chicks. Chicks can also get "pasty butt," where poop gets stuck on their bottoms and won't come off.
