Raising Baby Chicks For Beginners

Raising baby chicks is a lot easier than you think. They are so much fun to watch grow and only require a few things to take care of. Baby chicks aren’t much different than human babies really. They eat, sleep and yes … poop. This guide is great for beginners and anyone who is interested in purchasing chicks for the spring.

Baby chicks can bring so much joy and be so rewarding. I love to watch them grow and learn their little personality’s. The kids absolutely love them too and are a great way to show them responsibility and compassion.

What you will need

Where Do Baby Chicks Sleep?

Brooder – Baby chicks need somewhere that is safe from predictors and inside something where they cannot escape. They do sell brooders at feed and farm stores but I find them to be really expensive and quite big.

If you are a beginner with chickens, I recommend only starting with about three chicks so you wont need a super big brooder. I actually like to use large plastic storage bins because they are inexpensive and durable but you could also use a kiddie pool, aquarium or large wooden crate.

A great place to keep your baby chicks in on a table inside your laundry room or mud room. This keeps them out the way but still inside and close by.

Bedding – The best bedding to use for baby chicks is pine shavings but you can also use straw, sand or shredded news paper. Do not use cedar wood chips or shavings because they could be toxic to the chicks. Also do not use flat sheets of news paper because it can cause leg and feet abnormalities.

What Do Baby Chicks Need?

Heat source – Just like human babies, chicks cannot regulate their body temperature on their own yet. Without the warmth of their mother they need a heat source like a heat lamp with an infrared bulb or a heating panel. Place the heat source on one side of the enclosure so if they get too hot they can retreat to the other side of the brooder to cool off.

Waterer – Make sure to check on the chicks water throughout the day. They tend to kick shaving in it and the water gets really nasty very fast. When ever they get taller, i like to raise it up on top of some kind of bowl or container to prevent this from happening as much. Also make sure the water dish is not very deep or they can drown.

Feeder – Use a feeder the is specifically designed for baby chicks. If you use just a large container or bowl they will stand and poop in their food and make a huge mess. You can find these at any feed store or amazon, there are even some that you can screw a mason jar into that are super cute!

Thermometer – Keeping a thermometer under the heat source is a good way to make sure the brooder isn’t too hot. The ideal temperature for chicks 0-7 days old is 95 F. The temperature will go down as the chicks get older and by 6 weeks old they will no longer need a heat source and can be moved outside if the temperature stays above 65 F.

The best way to tell if your baby chicks are too hot or cold is to simply observe them. If you notice them trying to move away from the heat lamp then you should probably raise it up of a little away from the brooder. If the chicks seem to be huddled as close to the lamp as possible then they are probably too cold and you need to adjust it closer to them.

What Do Baby Chicks Eat?

Starter Feed – Baby chicks need a good starter feed to help them grow big and strong. You can find this at a feed or farm store such as tractor supply. You have the choice between medicated and non medicated chick feed.

Choosing between medicated or non medicated feed depends on whether or not your chicks have been vaccinated from Coccidiosis. This intestinal disease is caused by parasites, called coccidia oocysts, which live in the soil and can be carried by equipment, people or other birds. I recommend using the medicated to prevent this if you are unsure of vaccination status.

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Some other things to know

Your chicks grow super fast so make sure they are not able to climb on top of their feeder or anything inside the brooder and jump out. If you are worried about them getting out or a pet trying to get in, place a piece of chicken wire over the top.

Bond with your chicks by holding them and handling them. They need to feel comfortable with you as their care taker so get them used to being handled early.

Watch out for “pasty butt”. Yes its exactly what it sounds like. Your chicks might get poop mated in their fathers around their butt or “vent”. This can prevent the chick from pooping and cause some serious issues. Check the chicks everyday to see if any poop stuck to their butt, wipe it with a warm cloth or paper towel.