Preparing for Chicks
Chick season is just around the corner and it’s a perfect time to start preparing for them! Getting ready ahead of time will not only make things easier, but it can relieve some travel stress off the chicks when you bring them home from the store. These little ones will be anxious to settle in and already had quite the journey from the hatchery to your home, so why not make it an easy transition.
Chicks are fairly easy to raise, here are a few important things to keep in mind when getting ready to bring home new chicks so that you’re better prepared:
Where to buy chicks?
When chick season arrives in the spring, you can easily find chicks available at your local Tractor Supply or feed stores. Ordering chicks online through a reputable hatchery is also a popular choice which usually offers you more breed options to choose from in case you’re looking for something specific. Don’t be afraid to ask questions when purchasing chicks.
Feed
When you first bring home your chicks you’ll want to feed them a chick starter crumble. There are medicated feeds and unmedicated, be sure to do some research to decide which option works best for you. You will want your chicks to have access to their crumble at all times and you do not need to provide grit at this time since chick starter is formulated specifically for their digestion. Avoid giving your chicks scratch until they’re fully grown.
When it comes to feeders, there are several options: trays, dishes and gravity feeders to name a few. My personal favorite was a gravity feeder since I was able to fill it up and not worry too much about their feed getting wet or pooped in.
Water
Fresh, clean water should be accessible to the chicks at all times. When you first bring your chicks home, dip each of their beak tips in the water. This teaches them where their water is and they’ll most likely be pretty thirsty.
As for waterer’s, the most common waterer for a brooder is a gravity waterer. This style worked well for our chicks and brooder setup as it didn’t get everything wet and it was easy to fill up. Chicks can drown easily so be sure you do not use any type of deep waterer or tray.
Brooder + Bedding
There are a lot of different beddings available in the feed shop, but a large pine flake is a preferred favorite. Try to avoid putting in any slick material such as newspapers or cardboard down for bedding as this can cause slipping issues and injury. Also, avoid dusty material and fine shavings since chicks can easily digest this.
When it comes to the brooder itself, chicks need space so avoid crowding and keep in mind that chicks grow quick. Being cramped can cause stress and even lead to pecking behavior. Be sure to keep their brooder draft free as well, chicks get cold quite easily. They can also get pretty messy with their water at times so always clean things up right away and dry off any wet or damp chicks. Brooders should be cleaned out regularly to assure your chicks stay healthy while they grow.
Heat
Chicks need warmth in order to thrive as they grow. While heat lamps may be the most popular choice, it’s important to consider fire safety. One of my own preferred heating options is a heat plate, not only are they safer but the temperature is much easier to control by simply raising the plate as the chicks mature week by week. Their temperature needs to be 95° the first week and each week you will want to lower that temp by 5° by moving the lamp or plate further away or turning down the temperature if that’s an option.
Not sure if they’re too hot or too cold? You can use a thermometer to track the temp in the brooder or simply watch what your chicks are doing. If they’re all huddled under the heating lamp crammed together then there’s a big chance that they’re too cold. If they’re all avoiding the heat, then it’s most likely that the temperature is far too hot. What you want to see is a good mix going on in the brooder where some chicks are out from under the heat and others are under it.
Getting your flock started right can be so easy if you follow simple guidelines to get you going from the start. If you visit one of your local Tractor Supply or feed stores, you can easily purchase what you need in one trip to save time and money. Raising poultry is a great chance to get your kids and family involved when bringing home new chicks! Invite your kids to help you care for these little ones and watch them grow week by week because they sure do grow quick!
// Jess Rollar
Sources:
- https://www.uaex.uada.edu/counties/clark/self-sufficient-u/posts/seven-tips-raising-chicks.aspx
- https://extension.unh.edu/sites/default/files/migrated_unmanaged_files/Resource001089_Rep1360.pdf