Are you raising baby chicks this year and want to make sure you have the happiest and healthiest birds? I love adding new hens to our flock and we’ve been raising chicks every other year for over a decade.
In case you missed it, the March course in the Modern Homesteading Academy for paid subscribers is all about raising baby chicks! You can get instant access by becoming a paid subscriber and you will find a 19 page ebook and videos outlining everything you need to know to raise chicks.
5 Things to Know about Raising Baby Chicks
Raising baby chicks isn’t hard, but therer are a few things you should know to make it easier!
Brooder Setup: Before bringing chicks home, set up a brooder—a warm, safe environment where chicks can live comfortably. We’ve used many brooders over the years but we prefer a large tupperware for the first few weeks to keep the chicks warm and safe inside the house. Use paper towels on the bottom of your brooder for the first few days and then switch to pine shavings.
Temperature Regulation: Chicks require a specific temperature range. When you first bring home your chicks, you want to brooder to have part of it heated to about 95 degrees. Other parts of the brooder should be a bit cooler so the chicks can regulate their own temperature. Gradually reduce the temperature by about 5°F (2-3°C) each week until chicks develop feathers.
See our favorite heat plate for baby chicks.
Nutrition: Baby chicks need access to chick feed and fresh water at all times. Select a chick feed from your local store and provide your feed in a simple chick feeder.
See more about the Chick Supplies you need.
Hygiene and Cleanliness: Keep you chick brooder clean to prevent desease and keep your chicks healthy. Regularly clean the brooder by removing soiled bedding, refreshing water, and ensuring feeders remain clean. We find chicks can sometime knock over their water and make a mess, so make sure you are checking on them regularly.
Socialization and Handling: Handling chicks gently and frequently from a young age helps them become more accustomed to human interaction and reduces stress. Use caution with young kids who instictively squeeze baby chicks and always handle them carefully.
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Gretchen