Raising Chicks: Basics for Beginners

Raising chicks is both a rewarding and educational experience. Whether you’re new to chicken keeping or have years of experience, there’s always something to learn. By being aware of the challenges and responsibilities that accompany chicks, along with good preparation and the right nutrition, you can give them the foundation to grow and thrive.

Benefits and Challenges of Raising Your Own Flock

Like any hobby or job, there are ups and downs when it comes to raising chicks and chicken keeping. Raising chicks provides its own perks, along with allowing you to live a more sustainable life when they grow up. Here are some benefits of raising layer chicks:

• Enjoyment watching them grow up from newly hatched fluffy chicks to grown laying hens. Day by day and week by week, you will watch these chickens grow and change.
• With the right breed, chickens can make great pets. Read our blog Selecting the Best Chickens for Your Coop to find the most docile breeds.
• Raising chicks and chicken keeping can be a wonderful learning experience, especially for younger people, teaching them responsibility, biology and agriculture.
• If you’re a gardener, chicken droppings make terrific fertilizer. As well as chickens will eat garden pests such as ticks, mosquitoes, caterpillars, grasshoppers, flies, etc. Chickens also scratch and peck the ground which can aerate and till the soil.
• You can also reduce your waste as chickens will eat leftover scraps that you might otherwise throw away.
• And everyone’s favorite, fresh eggs!

On the other hand, raising chicks to chickens can be a lot of work. You need to be committed to the daily maintenance chickens need. These ladies will be reliant on you year-round a few minutes each day to provide fresh water, feed and collect eggs. In addition, they will also need shelter that requires periodic cleaning and disinfecting. The time commitment for chickens can be a lot sometimes, but raising chickens can be a very rewarding experience if you are able to provide them with what they need. Watching them grow at each stage of their development, from vulnerable hatchlings to productive adults is a fulfilling experience.

Essential Supplies for Raising Chicks

Starting your journey of raising chicks requires some planning and the right supplies. Essential supplies include:

• Safe Area: You will need a safe, draft-free, well-ventilated area, room or building to keep your brooder in.
• Quality Brooder: A brooder is a place you keep your baby chicks until they’re big enough for the coop. A quality brooder is extremely important for raising chicks as this is what keeps them safe, warm and contained. Setting up a brooder for your growing chicks requires a sturdy container that provides ample space. You can purchase a brooder or convert a large plastic tub or wooden box into one. The container’s walls should be at least 18-inches high to prevent escape, you can also consider adding a screen over the top to deter the curious pet or other hazards. During the first two weeks of life, a chick will need at least 0.5 square feet of space. They grow fast and after two weeks, each chick should have 1 to 3 square feet, and they will continue to need more in the following weeks.
• Bedding: Proper bedding can consist of straw, wood shavings or pine shavings. These will help provide a soft surface and absorb moisture. Regularly changing the bedding prevents the buildup of waste, which can lead to health issues. Maintaining a clean and safe environment is critical when raising chicks, choosing the right bedding can help maintain this cleanliness and comfort.
• Heat Source and Thermometer: A heat source in your brooder is vital to keep your chicks warm, such as infrared heat lamps or heating pads for chicks. The optimal temperature for the first week of life is 95°F, gradually decreasing it by 5°F each week until the chicks are feathered out. Keep a thermometer need your brooder so you can ensure it’s at the proper temperature.
• Feeder and Waterer: Make sure these are specifically made for chicks; chicks won’t be able to eat or drink out of ones too big.
• Cleaning Supplies: You will need disinfectant, cleaning brushes, a pitchfork and/or shovel to clean out the brooder and maintain a clean space.
• Chicken Coop: You will need a coop to transition the chicks to once they get bigger.
• High-Quality Chick Starter Feed: Starting your chicks off on the right type of feed is important for their development and future productivity.

You will need several items for your chicks, but your main priority should be a quality brooder. The brooder becomes the chick’s home for their first bit of life. Not only does maintaining it help keep your chicks healthy, but a quality brooder can provide a bit of comfort as their settle into their new surroundings.

Nutrition for Chicks

Quality nutrition is important for chicks as it directly impacts their growth, development, immune system function and overall health. When feeding chicks, you will first feed them a starter feed and later transition them to a grower and layer feed.

A high-quality chick starter should contain a high protein content to support the rapid growth of young birds, along with plenty of vitamins and minerals for optimal nutrition. Home Fresh Starter Crumble is a high-quality chick feed specifically formulated for starting chicks and can be fed on day 1. This chick starter is a high-energy grain diet with a 20% protein content. In addition, it contains essential amino acids that are necessary for growth and reproduction, as well as healthy skin and feathers.

After the initial chick phase, you can transition your chicks to a grower feed, to continue to develop muscle and bone strength, and later move them to a layer feed. Once your chickens reach maturity and begin laying eggs, layer feed becomes essential in providing them the necessary nutrients to support egg production. Home Fresh has several chicken feeds to choose from, all containing high-quality ingredients. Read our blog Choosing the Right Home Fresh Chicken Feed for more help finding the right feed for your flock and their life stage.

In addition to feed, water plays an important role in the health of your chicks. Adequate hydration is necessary for digestion, nutrient absorption and overall vitality. Ensure your chicks have constant access to clean and fresh water.

Transitioning Chicks to the Coop

Moving your chicks is an exciting milestone in their growth. Generally, chicks can be transitioned when they are fully feathered, typically around 6 to 8 weeks. At this point, they can better regulate their body temperature and adapt to the outside environment. However, it’s essential to monitor the weather and avoid moving them out during extreme cold or heat.

If you have an existing flock already, it’s important that you start to introduce your chicks to them before moving them fully to the coop. Start by taking it slow and allowing them to see each other through a fence or mesh to get acquainted without direct contact. After a few days, you can allow supervised interactions in a neutral space. Always watch for signs of aggression from the older chickens and be ready to separate them if necessary.

In addition, make sure your coop is spacious enough to accommodate your growing flock. Chicks need plenty of perches and space to roam to help them adapt more comfortably to their new home. With patience and proper preparation, your chicks will soon integrate seamlessly into coop life.

Raising chicks is a journey filled with both challenges and rewards. With the right preparation, care and a complete diet of Home Fresh Starter Crumble your baby chicks will be off to a good start in life. Embrace the experience and you will find joy in watching your flock grow into healthy, productive chickens that thrive. For more information on chicken keeping, read our other resources.