Congratulations on your journey of raising baby chicks! Whether you're a first-time chicken keeper or expanding your flock, there's something magical about bringing home those fluffy little peepers. At Bee Jeweled Coop, we believe that starting your chicks off right sets the foundation for healthy, happy hens that will reward you with fresh eggs and delightful personalities for years to come.

Coop First, THEN Chicks!

I will shout this from the rooftops: make sure to buy or build your coop BEFORE getting your chicks! Nothing is more stressful than watching your chicks grow knowing you do not have a proper setup for them. These babies will be coop ready in just 8 weeks!

Timing Your Chick Purchase

The best time to bring home baby chicks is during spring or early summer when temperatures are warming up. You will want to make sure the temperature outside does not fall below 50 degrees when transitioning to their coop. 

Tip: Order chicks from a reputable hatchery or breeder 2-3 months in advance to ensure availability of your preferred breeds.

Essential Supplies Checklist

Before those fluffy babies arrive, gather these necessities:

A brooder serves as a safe, controlled environment for baby chicks, offering warmth and protection in their first 6-8 weeks of life. I've used a few brooders for raising chicks and this year we are trying out a tent brooder from My Pet Chicken. This seems to be a good option for 5+ chicks. It has a removable top and a side door. 

A brooder with a side door makes your interactions with the chicks less scary for them. Chickens are naturally afraid of 'things' grabbing them from above (think hawks!) so it's always best to handle them from the side.

In years past, I've used this compact and easy-to-clean small animal cage on Amazon. It's perfect for 4 chicks or less. Like the tent, this brooder has a side access door so you can get to know your chickens in a friendly way.

I've also heard great things about The Big Red Barn from Rent-A-Coop. I haven't had a chance to test it yet but the breeder I purchased my chicks from this year uses two of the large cages for her chicks.

For the brooder's substrate, I only use hemp bedding. It's absorbency is second to none and it's low dust, which is healthier for your chicks. This hemp bedding from Eaton Pet and Pasture is a good choice.

Why We Love Hemp Bedding:

• Superior Absorbency: Hemp can absorb up to 4x its weight in moisture, keeping chicks drier and healthier
• Exceptional Odor Control: Naturally antimicrobial properties help eliminate ammonia buildup
• Virtually Dust-Free: Drastically reduces respiratory issues compared to pine or paper bedding
• Longer Lasting: Needs changing less frequently, saving you time and money
• Biodegradable: After use, it makes excellent compost for your garden
• Sustainable Choice: Hemp grows quickly with minimal environmental impact

Heating Plate From Rent-A-Coop

• Mimics a mother hen's warmth from above
• Adjustable height grows with your chicks
• More energy-efficient and safer than heat lamps
• Initial cost higher ($99) but worth the investment

Next, we need some feeders and waterers for our setup! I've found that this feeder and waterer are perfect for any setup. If using the small animal cage, I can use hanging straps for the feeder to adjust the height as my chicks grow, keeping their food clean and accessible.

Our Recommended Feeder Setup:

• Start with a chick-sized feeder to prevent waste
• Adjust feeder height to match the chicks' back height as they grow
• Use hanging straps for easy height adjustment
• Clean feeders weekly or whenever they become soiled
• Consider multiple feeding stations for larger broods

Waterer Tips:

• We love this waterer from Rent-A-Coop
• Always provide clean, room-temperature water
• Position waterers away from heat sources
• Change water daily to prevent contamination
• Add chick electrolytes to water for the first 3-5 days
• When first putting the chicks in the brooder, gently dip each chick's beak in water to teach them to drink

Pro Tip: Place waterers on a small platform or use a waterer base to reduce bedding contamination. This keeps water cleaner longer and reduces the frequency of bedding changes.

Grit:

• Introduce at 2-3 weeks of age if feeding anything besides starter feed
• Offer in a separate small dish
• Use chick-sized grit (smaller than adult chicken grit)

Safe Treats (after 3 weeks):

• Finely chopped leafy greens (spinach, lettuce)
• Grated carrots or zucchini
• Mashed hard-boiled egg (great protein boost)
• Scrambled egg (no salt or seasonings)

Treat Guidelines:

• Treats should comprise no more than 10% of diet
• Always introduce one new food at a time
• Finely chop or mash all treats
• Remove uneaten fresh treats after 1-2 hours

Daily Health Check Routine

Establish a daily observation routine:

1. Count all chicks to ensure none are hiding or ill
2. Watch for active eating and drinking
3. Check for bright, clear eyes and clean vents
4. Observe mobility and wing development
5. Listen for abnormal respiratory sounds
6. Note any unusual behavior or isolation

Common Chick Health Issues

Pasty Butt:

• Caused by stress, chilling, or improper nutrition
• Appears as dried droppings stuck to vent area
• Treatment: Gently moisten with warm water and remove dried material
• Prevention: Proper brooder temperature and adding probiotics to water

Spraddle Leg:

• Legs splay outward, making walking difficult
• Caused by slippery brooder surfaces or nutritional deficiencies
• Treatment: Create a "hobble" with soft yarn or bandage to hold legs in normal position
• Usually correctable if caught early

Respiratory Issues:

• Symptoms: Labored breathing, sneezing, nasal discharge
• Causes: Overcrowding, poor ventilation, dusty conditions
• Prevention: Clean brooder regularly, ensure good ventilation without drafts
• Seek veterinary help if symptoms persist

Pecking and Bullying:

• Watch for aggressive pecking or feather pulling
• Address by ensuring adequate space, proper nutrition, and multiple feeding stations
• Add visual barriers in brooder for chicks to hide behind

Socialization: Raising Friendly Chickens

The first weeks are crucial for developing friendly chickens:

• Handle chicks daily, starting with short sessions
• Speak softly around the brooder
• Offer treats from your palm to create positive associations
• Introduce new experiences gradually
• Allow supervised exploration outside the brooder after week 1

Raising baby chicks is one of the most rewarding experiences in homesteading. With proper preparation and care during these crucial early weeks, you're setting the foundation for a healthy, productive flock that will provide eggs, entertainment, and joy for years to come.

Remember that each batch of chicks will be slightly different, and you'll learn more with each experience. Don't be afraid to adjust your approach based on your observations - the chicks will tell you what they need if you pay attention to their behavior.

We'd love to see your brooder setups and hear about your experiences! Share your chick-raising journey with us on Instagram or Facebook @BeeJeweledCoop.

Happy chicken keeping from all of us at Bee Jeweled Coop!

Additional Resources

• Download our Printable Chick Supply Checklist
• Watch our Brooder Setup Video Tutorial