At this time we are not accepting online sales. Please take a look at our inventory and contact us via phone, email or Facebook to place order and arrange pick up. Thank you
< Watch Live
BABY CHICKS!
Are you new to having chickens? Will this be your first time being a chickee mama or papa?
Here are some pointers to get started on the right foot.
There are a few things babies need to get a good start in life.
We have made a list to get you prepared for your new fluffy family members
Here are some we suggest for creating a cozy and comfortable space for your feathered friends!
Describe your service here. What makes it great? Use short catchy text to tell people what you offer, and the benefits they will receive. A great description gets readers in the mood, and makes them more likely to go ahead and book.
Housing Essentials
1
Brooder box
Baby chicks need to be protected from drafts but still have adequate ventilation, start with a spacious cage that provides plenty of room for movement. This can be in the form of a cardboard box with holes for ventilation, a large plastic storage bin, an unused bathtub, or even a kiddie pool!
Heat
2
Heater Plate or Heat Lamp Bulb?
Baby chicks need to be kept pretty hot. around 100 degrees. After placing your chicks in your brooder, pay close attention to their behavior. If they're crowded together directly under or adjacent to the heat source, lower the heat source or add another. If, your chicks seem to be avoiding the heat source, they're too hot! Move the heat source farther away from them. Happy chicks will explore all around the brooder. If you are using a heat lamp instead of a heater plate, we recommend using a thermometer to ensure you have the accurate temperature in your brooder.
Heat lamp
​
A heat lamp for chicks offers the advantage of being a readily available, convenient, and easily monitored heat source for young chicks, but its major drawback is the significant fire hazard due to the potential for the hot bulb to fall and ignite flammable bedding, making it crucial to use extreme caution when setting it up; additionally, chicks can easily overheat if positioned too close to the lamp.​If you are using a heat lamp instead of a heater plate, we recommend using a thermometer to ensure you have the accurate temperature in your brooder.
Pros:
-
Easy to use and readily available: Brooder heat lamps are inexpensive and simple to set up, making them a common choice for raising chicks.
-
Centralized heat source: Provides a focused area of warmth that chicks can easily access, allowing for easy monitoring of temperature.
-
Red bulb option: Using a red bulb can mimic the warmth of a mother hen, potentially reducing stress in chicks and discouraging pecking behavior.
-
Adjustable heat: By adjusting the height of the lamp, you can easily regulate the temperature as chicks grow and require less heat.
Cons:
-
Fire hazard: The biggest concern with heat lamps is the risk of fire if the bulb falls or the lamp is knocked over, especially onto flammable bedding.
-
Overheating potential: Chicks can quickly become overheated if the lamp is positioned too close, leading to dehydration and health issues.
-
Light disruption: A standard heat lamp emits light, which can disrupt the chicks' natural day/night cycle, this is thought to be lessened if used with a red bulb.
-
Less energy efficient: Compared to other heating options like heating plates, heat lamps may use more energy to produce the same amount of heat.
-
Requires careful monitoring: Constant supervision is needed to ensure the temperature remains within the proper range and to prevent accidents.
Brooder Plate
​
A brooder plate's primary pros include being safer than heat lamps, mimicking a natural brooding environment by providing heat only underneath, and encouraging chicks to huddle together; however, cons include the potential for not providing enough warmth if the ambient temperature is too low, requiring close monitoring to ensure chicks are getting adequate heat, and not being ideal for newly hatched chicks from mail-order sources who may need more widespread warmth.
Pros:
-
Safer than heat lamps: No risk of chicks getting burned by direct contact with a hot element, which is a major concern with heat lamps.
-
Natural brooding behavior: Chicks naturally huddle under a broody hen, so the heat plate encourages this natural behavior by providing warmth only underneath.
-
Less disruption to circadian rhythm: Since brooder plates don't emit light, they won't disrupt the chicks' natural day/night cycle.
-
Easy to clean: Most brooder plates are designed for simple cleaning.
Cons:
-
May not provide enough heat in cold environments: If the ambient temperature is too low, the brooder plate alone might not be sufficient to keep chicks warm, especially for newly hatched chicks.
-
Requires close monitoring: You need to carefully observe chicks to ensure they are getting enough heat and adjust the plate height as needed.
-
Not ideal for mail-order chicks: Chicks that have experienced stress during shipping may need more widespread heat from a heat lamp initially.
-
Limited coverage area: Chicks can only access heat directly under the plate, so they may need to move around to find warmth.
3
Bedding
Baby chicks are big poopers, so make sure to line the floor of their housing unit with absorbent material. (our preferred option) We like to put a puppy pad down first for easier cleaning and cover it with pine shavings, helps keep dust down. You can also use straw or shredded newspaper about 1" thick.
*Do not use cedar shavings which can cause respiratory issues in your chicks.
Feeder/ Water
4
Chicks will jump in and kick the feed all over the place, poop in it, and worst-case scenario: they'll tip it over and trap a baby underneath (this has happened!). Chick feeders that are designed intentionally for small chicks are highly recommended.
Baby chicks have special needs regarding water. Dishes can make it easy for chicks to drown, and they'll certainly do naughty things like walk in it, spill it, kick their bedding materials into it, and poop in it - meaning you'll have to change it constantly. For the best results, we recommend you use a specially-designed chick waterer.
Food and Supplements
1
Starter/Grower
Feed Suppliers have formulated special "starter feeds" complete with everything baby chicks need. It comes in either "crumbles" or "mash" (referring to how ground down it is) - either is fine. Medicated feed is a great way to keep them healthy those first few months if no vaccines have been given. How long do you feed baby chicks "starter feed" before switching to a feed called "grower" or "chick grower"? It all depends! Each manufacturer formulates their feed differently, so read the label and follow their instructions.
2
Chick Grit
When to feed
-
Chicks 0–2 weeks old: Don't need grit if only eating chick starter crumble
-
Chicks 2 weeks and older: Can start introducing treats and chick grit
-
Chicks that have access to the outdoors: May pick up enough grit on their own
Why to feed
Chickens need grit to digest food that isn't soft enough to digest on their own. Grit helps grind up food in their gizzard. Without enough grit, food can pass through the chicken without being digested or back up into their crop and rot.
Chicks may ingest small pieces of bedding. If this happens, they will need some grit to help digest it. It's a good idea to mix 1-2 tablespoons of chick grit into 1 quart of feed. This allows chicks to ingest a little grit--but not too much--while they eat their feed.
3
Probiotics & Electrolytes
Give your chickens a nutritional boost with essential vitamins, electrolytes, and probiotic poultry supplements to help them stay hydrated and healthy.
4
Apple cider Vinegar
1 tbsp per gallon of water, it helps with digestion and helps baby chicks with pasty butt...it is good for chicks and chickens in the cooler weather and indoors ONLY. Not good to give to chickens in extreme heat, plain water or electrolytes for a couple of days.