What Do You Need for Baby Chicks
This quick list of items will answer the question: what do you need for baby chicks and prepare you for your new additions. Know what to have for housing, food, heat, and protection so you can start confidently as a new chicken owner.
Get setup and prep tips on raising chickens that are healthy and happy from day one.
Having chickens in our backyard is one of my favorite parts of homesteading. There is just something about farm-fresh eggs that taste better and look better than what you can get at the store.
Before you can enjoy those eggs, however, you first need to get a handful of baby chicks, and before you bring your first chicks home, you will need to be prepared.
This guide will help you set up a cozy and safe home for your chicks that includes everything they need to thrive from day one.
Where can you get baby chicks?
There are a few options for purchasing baby chickens from store to mail, and each has its own pros and cons.
Be sure to grab our FREE Chick Supply List Below!
#1. Hatcheries:
A chicken hatchery is where eggs are fertilized and hatched into chicks, which are then sold to customers and shipped through the mail.
You can order baby chicks from hatcheries online or through mail-order catalogs. This is a good option if you want a specific breed you want for your coop or if there are no local sources you can use.
I prefer to order from hatcheries because they are very accurate with sexting.
What does sexting chicks mean?
Sexting chicks is the process of identifying the gender of a chick. This is important because you may not want or be allowed to have roosters in your backyard due to noise complaints or city ordinances.
By ordering from a hatchery, you can usually request only female chicks, ensuring that you won’t accidentally end up with any roosters.
Yes, there is a chance you might still get a rooster in your order, but I have found that it happens less frequently than if I purchase from a feed store.
Pros: Hatcheries have a large selection allowing you to pick and choose the breeds you want to raise. Chickens are more likely to be female and these chicks tend to be healthier.
Cons: The cost per chick is higher when ordered through a hatchery, and the minimum order requirement can be 15 chicks or more adding to that cost.
#2. Feed Stores:
Many local feed stores, such as Tractor Supply, will carry baby chicks during the spring and early summer. This is a great option if you want to see the chicks before purchasing.
These chicks will most likely be the most affordable, too. Just be aware that sexting is not as successful when you purchase this way, and you may end up with a few roosters.
Pros: You can touch and see the chicks, allowing you to pick and choose the birds you want to buy. A more affordable option that can be helpful if you are on a budget.
Cons: There is a higher chance of roosters and the selection of breeds tends to be more limited.
#3. Local Breeders:
You can also find local breeders through online classifieds or by asking around your community. This is a good option if you want to support small-scale chicken farmers, get advice from experienced owners, or raise a unique breed of chicken.
Pros: You can talk to a skilled raiser getting hands on advice for the chicks you are buying.
Cons: Local breeders can be hard to find and may be more costly than feed stores.
Be prepared before you bring chicks home
It may be surprising to know that baby chicks are self sufficient the minute they are born. They instictively know to find warmth and to do what they can to stay dry.
Your new chicks will quickly adapt as long as you have a warm and dry home with the right food and clean water.
Baby Chick Housing
The main goal of a baby chick house, often referred to as a brooder, is to replicate a warm, protective mother. To do that, you will want to have the following elements.
- Brooder Box – This is the physical structure that houses the chicks. It needs to be spacious enough for the chicks to move around comfortably with a cover to protect your chickens from the outside.
- Bedding – Bedding plays an important role in a brooder. It helps to keep the area clean and smelling fresh by absorbing moisture and odors. Wood shavings are commonly used due to their high absorbency and low cost.
- Heat Source – Baby chicks need warmth, especially during their initial weeks. An infrared heat lamp or a brooder heater can help maintain the required temperature.
- Feeder and Waterer – Chicks are able to eat and drink the minute they are born. Special feeders and waterers designed for chicks help to keep things clean. can
- Perch: A low perch can help chicks practice roosting, which is an essential behavior for adult chickens.
Let’s look at each in more detail to give you a better idea of what works best and why.
Get our list of Easy Housing Ideas for Baby Chicks and Ducklings for some creative inspiration.
Chick Brooder Options
Several housing options are available for baby chicks, each with its unique set of advantages. I have tried a few of these and still find cardboard boxes to be the best option for us.
1. Plastic Storage Bins
Also known as a tote, these containers can work well as a brooder. Most people have extras lying around, making this a quick setup solution.
Pros: Plastic totes are inexpensive, easy to clean, and light enough to move around if needed.
Cons: The plastic can be slippery for chicks to walk on, causing them to “grip” with their feet. This can lead to Curly Toe, a foot condition affecting baby chicks.
2. Cardboard Boxes
A cardboard box is a classic option for a chick brooder because they are readily available. Boxes have been used as brooders for years and are still commonly used today. For our own setups, we still prefer to use a box to hold our chicks.
Pros: Since you can get them for free, they are very cost-effective. They come in a large range of sizes, allowing you to provide a spacious area for the chicks to roam freely with high sides to keep everyone protected from the outside.
Cons: Boxes can get soiled or wet from water and manure, so you will need to change out the bedding often to keep things dry.
3. Wood Box
Another option that is quite durable for a brooder is a wooden box. These are a heavier option but much more durable than a box and easier for chicks to walk on.
Pros: Wooden boxes are durable and easy to clean. They also provide a more natural environment for the chicks compared to plastic or cardboard.
Cons: They can be quite heavy to lift, even when empty, making them hard to move around.
4. Complete Brooder setups
You can also purchase a brooder box with all the parts ready to set up and fill with baby chicks. This is a more expensive option, but you will not have to worry that there are any missing components.
Pros: Many come with everything you need including a feeder, waterer, heat, and roost.
Cons: Brooder setups can be more costly than DIY options especially if you are raising a large number of chicks.
RentACoop Big Red Barn Chick Brooder Set with Chick Heating Plate with Anti-Roost Cone, Two 2.5 Pound Chick Feeders, Two 64 Ounce Chick Drinkers, and Jute Liner
Large Chicken Brooder Box for Chick,Wooden Brooder Box 32Tetuga Brooder Box for Chick Starter Kit – Chick Brooder Pen/Baby Chicken Supplies Brooder Box with Ideal Size Brooding Up to 15 Baby Chick, Duck and Quail
Remember, regardless of the type of housing used, it should be warm, have plenty of space, be free of drafts, and safe from predators.
What sized brooder do you need for baby chicks?
The size of the brooder you need depends on the number of chicks you have. A good rule of thumb is to provide 2-3 square feet per chick. This gives them enough space to move around, exercise, and sleep comfortably.
Parts of a Brooder
Now that you have your brooder picked out, you will next need to stock it with the appropriate supplies.
1. Heat Source
Having a warm brooder is crucial for baby chicks, as they are unable to regulate their own body heat effectively.
A heat source should be placed in one corner of the brooder, allowing the chicks to move away from it if they become too warm. You can purchase heaters online; please be sure to follow all safety precautions when using them.
What temperature does a brooder need to be for baby chicks?
The brooder temperature should start at 95°F (35°C) for the first week and gradually decrease by 5 °F each week until they are fully feathered. This is usually around 6-8 weeks of age.
It’s important to monitor the temperature regularly and make adjustments as needed. We keep a small thermometer in the brooder so we know the temperature. You can use this old farmer’s trick if you don’t have a thermometer.
Too cold: If you see your chicks huddled under the heat source, they are cold and the brooder temp is not warm enough for them.
Too Warm: If you see your chicks far away from the heat source, they are hot and the brooder temp is too warm for them.
Just Right: If you see your chicks spread out, the temperature is just right.
2. Bedding
The bedding in your brooder serves several purposes – it absorbs moisture, provides insulation, and helps keep the chicks clean.
Some common bedding options include pine shavings, shredded paper, or straw. It’s important to clean and replace regularly.
31OZ Sukh Chicken coop Bedding – Aspen shavings Animal Bedding as Chicken Supplies for Chicken House Bedding winterizing Nesting for Small pet Guinea Pig Rabbit Chinchilla Bird Gerbil Odor ControlSmall Pet Select- Pine Shavings Chicken Bedding, 141L, Brown (Chikpine-141l)Manna Pro Fresh Flakes | Chicken Coop Bedding | Pine Shavings for Chicken Bedding | 4 Cubic Feet
3. Baby Chick Feed and Water
Chicks should have free access to a balanced chick starter feed, which is specially formulated to provide all the required nutrients. The feed can be placed in a shallow dish or a chick feeder, designed to prevent chicks from perching on the feed and contaminating it.
Water is equally important and should be available at all times. Baby chicks cannot swallow dry food without water. A chick waterer, which prevents the chicks from falling in and drowning, is most recommended. It’s essential to ensure the water is clean and fresh to prevent the spread of diseases.
To keep the food and water neat, you can purchase risers to lift them up off the ground.
Roosty’s Chicken Feeder and Waterer Kit – 1L Chicken Feeder and 1.5L Chicken Waterer | Chicken Feeder and Hanging Chicken Waterer | Duck Feeder, Quail Feeder, Chicken Starter KitNAOEDEAH Chicken Feeder and Waterer Set no Waste Chick Feeder and Waterer Kit 1L Chicken Water Feeder Poultry Waterer Baby Chick Starter Kit (Purple)ZenxyHoC Chick Feeder and Waterer Kit, Top Fill 3.3LBS Chick Feeder and 0.4Gal Chick Waterer with Scoop 3 Adjustable Heights Legs Red
Remember, never let the chicks run out of feed or water. Their growth and overall health depend on constant access to both. Each morning, add fresh feed and change out the water, giving them fresh.
4. Roost
This is not a requirement but it is something fun to have in your brooder if you have the room.
Chicks have adult instincts, and that means having a roost in the brooder will help them learn how to act as a grown hen. A roost simulates a tree branch and gives chicks something to jump onto, run around, or hop off.
The ideal height for the roost should be about 6 inches (15 cm) off the ground. You can purchase a small roost online and put it inside the brooder. This is nice to have but not required for baby chicks.
5. Protection
Chicks are inquisitive animals; even young baby chicks can jump out of a brooder, risking injury. For that reason, you will want protection that will keep them from getting out as well as keeping pets or young children from getting in.
If you purchased a brooder, you likely have a lid keeping everyone inside and safe. If you are using a DIY setup, you will need to have a lid that is open to the air, keeping the inside fresh and smelling clean.
You can use an old window screen or chicken wire using zip ties to secure it in place.
Raising baby chicks can be fun and rewarding for the entire family. With the essentials for baby chicks in place, you can begin this adventure with confidence, knowing they are safe and protected from day one.
Be sure to keep their living space clean by refreshing their bedding regularly, and always provide them with fresh water and plenty of food. By giving your chicks the care they need, you’ll set the stage for raising healthy, happy hens that will reward you with fresh eggs before you know it.
More Baby Chick Resources:
- How to Prepare for Chickens
- Best Chicken Breeds For Beginners
- Baby Chicks Ducks Foolproof Cheap Housing System
Nice Article. We need to get chicks sometime soon. I have 20 hens and half of them will need replacing in about 8 months. New chicks are always a hassle until they can go out in the coop.
Yes, I agree!! I have a junior holding area for our new chickens that I keep them in until they are old enough for the coop. I only use this when I have existing chickens.
Good Luck!
Tracy Lynn