How To Raise Baby Chicks: A Complete Guide for Beginners -

Fun Facts about Chickens

Did you know that an egg develops at 88 degrees F and hatches at 105 degrees? Did you know chickens can run up to 9 miles per hour? Did you know that a chicken’s body contains 15% more water than humans? Now that you know this, you have enough information to educate yourself on how to raise baby chicks.

I’ve raised several chicks over the years. Some from incubated eggs at our friend Jeff’s farm. In 2020 we adopted the chicks from Mrs. Distefano’s class because the schools were closed from COVID and they needed a place to go. And lastly, we purchased our very first chicks from Tractor Supply.

Local shops like Tractor Supply and Smithland only have chicks available at a certain time and you have to pre-order your chicks to ensure you will receive them. However, I also like to recommend Meyer Hatchery.

Which Chicks to Purchase?

Here are my recommendations on the best chickens to purchase based on what we have raised in the past:

Green Queen – Beautiful green eggs and a friendly temperament
Black Australorp – Excellent egg layers with stunning black feathers
Golden Buff – Hardy birds that lay brown eggs consistently

What Supplies Are Needed To Raise Baby Chicks

You can view my list directly on Amazon via my affiliate link.

Essential Equipment:

Brooder – A safe, enclosed space for your chicks (plastic tote or specialized brooder)
Heat Lamp – To maintain proper temperature (red bulbs are preferred as they’re less stressful for chicks)
Thermometer – To monitor brooder temperature
Pine shavings for bedding – Cedar shavings are toxic to chicks!
Feeder and waterer – Chick-sized feeders prevent waste and contamination
Starter food – Specially formulated for chicks (for up to 6 weeks)
Coop – For when they are 7 weeks old and ready to move outside

Getting Started: The First Day Home

Have everything ready for when the chicks arrive home. Preheat the brooder with the lamp for about an hour prior to placing the chicks in the brooder. The temperature should be around 95°F during the first week.

Fill the feeder with their chick food and a water container with a little water. You will want to remove that at times because they make a mess.

Temperature Management

Temperature is critical for chick survival and health. Follow this temperature schedule:

Week 1: 95°F
Week 2: 90°F
Week 3: 85°F
Week 4: 80°F
Week 5: 75°F
Week 6: 70°F

Watch your chicks’ behavior to gauge if the temperature is right:

If they’re huddled directly under the heat source, they’re too cold
If they’re staying far away from the heat source, they’re too hot
If they’re moving freely around the brooder, the temperature is just right

Brooder Management

After two weeks, chicks will start to jump and try to escape from the brooder. So you want to put a screen over it to keep them from escaping and hurting themselves.

Change bedding regularly (about twice a week) to prevent ammonia buildup and keep chicks healthy. As they grow, increase the brooder space – aim for about 0.5 square feet per chick at first, increasing to 1 square foot after a few weeks.

Feeding Timeline

Age 0-7 weeks: Free choice 18-20% chick starter and free choice water with electrolytes
Age 8-16 weeks: Free choice 16% grower feed, free-choice water, electrolyte in water only for one day a week
Age 17 weeks and up: 15-16% layer ration. Limit ration so that chickens will consume feed by late afternoon, refill feeders in the morning. This will help prevent overfeeding, that could cause extreme egg size, and which could be hard for the hen to pass. Free choice water, fresh daily.

Health Monitoring

Signs of a Healthy Chick:

Active and alert
Eating and drinking regularly
Clean, dry vent area
Clear, bright eyes
Growing new feathers steadily

Common Health Issues to Watch For:

Pasty Butt: Droppings stick to the vent area. Clean gently with warm water.
Spraddle Leg: Legs splay outward. Can be corrected with a “hobble” made from a bandage.
Respiratory Issues: Listen for sneezing or wheezing and watch for nasal discharge.

Transitioning to the Coop

Around six to seven weeks, when chicks are fully feathered, they can be moved to their permanent coop. Make this transition gradually:

Ensure the coop is clean, predator-proof, and has proper ventilation
Install proper roosts (about 2 inches wide and rounded on top)
Provide 1-2 nesting boxes for every 4-5 hens
Make sure feeders and waterers are appropriate for their size
Consider introducing them to the coop during daylight hours first, then bringing them back to the brooder for a few nights
When they do move in permanently, check on them frequently the first few days

Handling and Socialization

Handle your chicks gently and frequently to get them used to human contact. This makes them easier to manage as adults.

Some tips:

Cup them in your hands without squeezing
Sit on the ground and let them explore you
Talk to them in a gentle voice
Offer treats from your hand (after the first week)

Final Thoughts

Raising chicks is a rewarding experience that connects us to our food sources and agricultural heritage. With proper care and attention, your chicks will grow into healthy, productive hens that provide fresh eggs and endless entertainment.

Remember that each breed has its own personality and egg-laying capacity. My personal favorites remain the Green Queens for their beautiful eggs and the Black Australorps for their reliable laying and friendly disposition.

Happy chicken raising!

This post contains affiliate links. If you purchase through these links, I receive a small commission at no extra cost to you.