Caring for baby chickens can be a daunting task. This is especially true if you’re new to the world of raising chicks, hens, and roosters. Luckily, with a little understanding, great info, and love for nurturing healthy baby chickens are possible. If you’ve started your journey into the world of chickens with hens, then they will take on the responsibility of raising their young themselves. In most scenarios, that is. If you have decided to start this journey fresh, then most likely you’ve chosen your baby chicks from a hatchery. Once your baby chickens arrive, you’ll be asking yourself tons of questions. How often should they be fed? What temperatures are best for keeping them comfortable? And most importantly, when can baby chickens go outside and truly begin their lives?
Preparing for Life Outdoors At 4 to 5 weeks of age, most baby chickens are ready for life outside. Before they can make this adjustment, however, a chicken coop must be purchased. Make sure any coop you buy for your baby chickens is predator and rodent-proof. These are the last things you’ll want inside with your chickens. The inside of your coop should also provide adequate roosting poles and nesting areas for hens. Using ladders helps your hens reach their roosts or boxes when they are ready to use them. You’ll also find it best to have at least one nesting box for every five hens. These out-of-the-way places should be a few inches off the ground or easily accessible to your girls. Hens like laying in the dark where they can be alone and protected. Image Credit: byrev, Pixabay The World Outside Yes, once all this is prepared and your baby chickens are at least 4 to 5 weeks old, they are ready to live life in their chicken coops and your yard. To make the transition easier and teach your chicks where home is, it is important to leave them inside their chicken coop for roughly 5 days. This will teach them where home is. When you feel your chickens are ready, you’ll definitely be ready. Raising baby chicks is no easy task. You can open the coop to give them access to their own scratching grounds. Yes, they will come and go as they please. We’ve all heard the saying, chickens come home to roost. This is true. If you transition your baby chickens correctly plus provide them with the care they need, they’ll always find their way back to their chicken coop. Let’s take a deeper look at baby chickens and the timetable you’ll be facing when it comes to allowing them outside on their own. We’ll also give you other vital bits of information to make raising your chickens to the perfect outside age of 4 to 5 weeks. These tidbits will make life with your new chickens easier and safer for your babies and your family.
The Day Your Baby Chickens Arrive Some hatcheries are willing to ship baby chicks straight to your home. This is a good way to welcome new chickens into your yard or start a new venture off on the right foot. If you don’t have a local hatchery, then you’ll find yourself waiting a few days after you’ve made your initial order. This gives you time to get things ready. Image Credit: Myriams-Fotos, Pixabay The Brooder Having a brooder ready when your baby chickens arrive is crucial. This is where your baby chicks will grow and flourish. The amount of room required to keep your new chicks happy and healthy depends on how many you’ve decided to bring home. Most hatcheries recommend 2 square feet per chick. This gives them adequate space as they grow. Yes, it seems like a lot for something so small but remember, they won’t be tiny for long. A brooder can be made from several different objects. The important things to remember are proper ventilation and protection from drafts and cold. Many people choose to use a cardboard box with ventilation holes in it. Others have been known to use kiddie pools. Storage bins with proper ventilation also work great. Whichever brooder you choose will work, just remember to have it ready and warmed up before the babies make their arrival. Keeping Babies Warm Like with human babies, chicks don’t want to come home to a cold room. To keep your baby chickens healthy, they need lots of warmth. In their first few days of life, a baby chicken requires temperatures in the 95-degree range. With each week they age, you can lower those temperatures by 5 degrees if your babies are doing well. Choosing the right heat source can be a bit nerve-wracking. Many hatcheries prefer it if you avoid high-wattage infrared heat bulbs. In their opinion, these bulbs can be dangerous and even start fires. Therefore, most breeders and sellers recommend purchasing actual space heaters designed for baby chicks. These types of heat sources are safer for both your baby chickens and the people inside your home. Image Credit: congerdesign, Pixabay Bedding You may think your baby chickens only need soft bedding. This isn’t exactly true. Yes, they need soft materials for their feet and to snuggle when they sleep, but these materials must be absorbent or you’re in for a rough time. You’ll also be changing this bedding roughly once a week. Keep plenty on hand so you’re ready when your babies need a fresh brooder. Baby chickens use the potty. A lot. Absorbent materials like aspen shavings or spread pine are great at absorbing their movements while also being gentle on their feet. When changing out your shavings, using paper towels is also a smart idea. They are very absorbent and work well in a pinch. A word of advice when it comes to shavings, however. Most breeders and hatcheries recommend that you steer clear of cedar shavings. The aromatic oils in these shavings can cause your baby chickens breathing issues as they grow. Feeders and Waterers Baby chickens can be little rascals. You’ll find them kicking out their shavings and making messes while they frolic and play. Without the proper feeders and waterers, you’ll also find them spilling their food and water all over the place. It is important to avoid water and food bowls for baby chicks. Water in a bowl will get poured out or walked in routinely. It is also possible for a baby chick to drown in these types of bowls. Feeders aren’t much different. You’ll spend more money trying to keep your chicks fed if you don’t use proper equipment. Great feeders and waterers have small holes for your chickens to peck through. This helps control the mess while ensuring they don’t hurt themselves while trying to get nourished. Feed To get your chicken off on the right foot when it comes home, you need starter feed. Similar to puppy and kitten food, starter feed is specially balanced with everything your chick needs to grow and be healthy. Each manufacturer of these starter feeds combines different things in their formula. Choose the brand and formula you feel most comfortable with then stick with it. These manufacturers will also give you a timeline on when you should move to the next phase called starter feed. Image Credit: Ton Bangkeaw, Shutterstock Netting According to the depth of your breeder, you may need netting on top to keep your chicks safely inside. Unlike the full-grown version, baby chickens can fly quite well. If they are kept in a brooder that is below 12 inches tall, a net is necessary. Chicken wire and deer netting make great coverings for your brooder. This keeps chicks inside and safe even when you aren’t with them.
The Arrival If you’ve ordered your chicks from a hatchery where delivery is required, be aware of when your chicks are coming. The last thing you want is to lose all your babies thanks to the lack of proper heat during shipping. Unfortunately, it isn’t unusual for a few babies to pass during this process. Be prepared for it. That part can be heartbreaking. Whether your chicks were bought locally or being shipped, getting them into their brooder immediately is a smart plan. They’ll have access to clean water and fresh feed. Be ready to nurse any chicks who act under the weather. They won’t necessarily be sick, but the trip from their hatchery to your home can be stressful. Caring for Your Chicks Yes, this process is never-ending. Your baby chickens will need lots of attention to grow up healthy. Unlike some other animals, they can self-regulate. This means they will stop eating when they are full. Keep fresh feed always available so they can eat all they need. The same can be said for their water. It must be fresh and clean to avoid issues with illnesses. Heat is one of the most important parts of raising baby chickens. If you noticed they are huddled near the heat source in a group, most likely, their home isn’t warm enough. If they are staying away from the heat source, and one another, they are too warm. Keep a close eye on all of this so your chicks can make the transition to life outside without issue.
In Conclusion Raising baby chickens is difficult but can be very rewarding. Providing the love and care these little creatures need to grow up and be healthy, productive chickens can make any breeder proud. The 4 to 5 weeks you spend preparing your babies for life outside will give them all the tools they need to survive on their own. You’ll be a proud chicken parent and reap the rewards your hard work provides.
Featured Image Credit: PCHT, Shutterstock
Caring for baby chickens can be a daunting task. This is especially true if you’re new to the world of raising chicks, hens, and roosters. Luckily, with a little understanding, great info, and love for nurturing healthy baby chickens are possible.
If you’ve started your journey into the world of chickens with hens, then they will take on the responsibility of raising their young themselves. In most scenarios, that is. If you have decided to start this journey fresh, then most likely you’ve chosen your baby chicks from a hatchery. Once your baby chickens arrive, you’ll be asking yourself tons of questions. How often should they be fed? What temperatures are best for keeping them comfortable? And most importantly, when can baby chickens go outside and truly begin their lives?
Preparing for Life Outdoors
At 4 to 5 weeks of age, most baby chickens are ready for life outside. Before they can make this adjustment, however, a chicken coop must be purchased. Make sure any coop you buy for your baby chickens is predator and rodent-proof. These are the last things you’ll want inside with your chickens.
The inside of your coop should also provide adequate roosting poles and nesting areas for hens. Using ladders helps your hens reach their roosts or boxes when they are ready to use them. You’ll also find it best to have at least one nesting box for every five hens. These out-of-the-way places should be a few inches off the ground or easily accessible to your girls. Hens like laying in the dark where they can be alone and protected.
The World Outside
Yes, once all this is prepared and your baby chickens are at least 4 to 5 weeks old, they are ready to live life in their chicken coops and your yard. To make the transition easier and teach your chicks where home is, it is important to leave them inside their chicken coop for roughly 5 days. This will teach them where home is.
When you feel your chickens are ready, you’ll definitely be ready. Raising baby chicks is no easy task. You can open the coop to give them access to their own scratching grounds. Yes, they will come and go as they please. We’ve all heard the saying, chickens come home to roost. This is true. If you transition your baby chickens correctly plus provide them with the care they need, they’ll always find their way back to their chicken coop.
Let’s take a deeper look at baby chickens and the timetable you’ll be facing when it comes to allowing them outside on their own. We’ll also give you other vital bits of information to make raising your chickens to the perfect outside age of 4 to 5 weeks. These tidbits will make life with your new chickens easier and safer for your babies and your family.
The Day Your Baby Chickens Arrive
Some hatcheries are willing to ship baby chicks straight to your home. This is a good way to welcome new chickens into your yard or start a new venture off on the right foot. If you don’t have a local hatchery, then you’ll find yourself waiting a few days after you’ve made your initial order. This gives you time to get things ready.
The Brooder
Having a brooder ready when your baby chickens arrive is crucial. This is where your baby chicks will grow and flourish. The amount of room required to keep your new chicks happy and healthy depends on how many you’ve decided to bring home. Most hatcheries recommend 2 square feet per chick. This gives them adequate space as they grow. Yes, it seems like a lot for something so small but remember, they won’t be tiny for long.
A brooder can be made from several different objects. The important things to remember are proper ventilation and protection from drafts and cold. Many people choose to use a cardboard box with ventilation holes in it. Others have been known to use kiddie pools. Storage bins with proper ventilation also work great. Whichever brooder you choose will work, just remember to have it ready and warmed up before the babies make their arrival.
Keeping Babies Warm
Like with human babies, chicks don’t want to come home to a cold room. To keep your baby chickens healthy, they need lots of warmth. In their first few days of life, a baby chicken requires temperatures in the 95-degree range. With each week they age, you can lower those temperatures by 5 degrees if your babies are doing well.
Choosing the right heat source can be a bit nerve-wracking. Many hatcheries prefer it if you avoid high-wattage infrared heat bulbs. In their opinion, these bulbs can be dangerous and even start fires. Therefore, most breeders and sellers recommend purchasing actual space heaters designed for baby chicks. These types of heat sources are safer for both your baby chickens and the people inside your home.
Bedding
You may think your baby chickens only need soft bedding. This isn’t exactly true. Yes, they need soft materials for their feet and to snuggle when they sleep, but these materials must be absorbent or you’re in for a rough time. You’ll also be changing this bedding roughly once a week. Keep plenty on hand so you’re ready when your babies need a fresh brooder.
Baby chickens use the potty. A lot. Absorbent materials like aspen shavings or spread pine are great at absorbing their movements while also being gentle on their feet. When changing out your shavings, using paper towels is also a smart idea. They are very absorbent and work well in a pinch. A word of advice when it comes to shavings, however. Most breeders and hatcheries recommend that you steer clear of cedar shavings. The aromatic oils in these shavings can cause your baby chickens breathing issues as they grow.
Feeders and Waterers
Baby chickens can be little rascals. You’ll find them kicking out their shavings and making messes while they frolic and play. Without the proper feeders and waterers, you’ll also find them spilling their food and water all over the place.
It is important to avoid water and food bowls for baby chicks. Water in a bowl will get poured out or walked in routinely. It is also possible for a baby chick to drown in these types of bowls. Feeders aren’t much different. You’ll spend more money trying to keep your chicks fed if you don’t use proper equipment. Great feeders and waterers have small holes for your chickens to peck through. This helps control the mess while ensuring they don’t hurt themselves while trying to get nourished.
Feed
To get your chicken off on the right foot when it comes home, you need starter feed. Similar to puppy and kitten food, starter feed is specially balanced with everything your chick needs to grow and be healthy. Each manufacturer of these starter feeds combines different things in their formula. Choose the brand and formula you feel most comfortable with then stick with it. These manufacturers will also give you a timeline on when you should move to the next phase called starter feed.
Netting
According to the depth of your breeder, you may need netting on top to keep your chicks safely inside. Unlike the full-grown version, baby chickens can fly quite well. If they are kept in a brooder that is below 12 inches tall, a net is necessary. Chicken wire and deer netting make great coverings for your brooder. This keeps chicks inside and safe even when you aren’t with them.
The Arrival
If you’ve ordered your chicks from a hatchery where delivery is required, be aware of when your chicks are coming. The last thing you want is to lose all your babies thanks to the lack of proper heat during shipping. Unfortunately, it isn’t unusual for a few babies to pass during this process. Be prepared for it. That part can be heartbreaking.
Whether your chicks were bought locally or being shipped, getting them into their brooder immediately is a smart plan. They’ll have access to clean water and fresh feed. Be ready to nurse any chicks who act under the weather. They won’t necessarily be sick, but the trip from their hatchery to your home can be stressful.
Caring for Your Chicks
Yes, this process is never-ending. Your baby chickens will need lots of attention to grow up healthy. Unlike some other animals, they can self-regulate. This means they will stop eating when they are full. Keep fresh feed always available so they can eat all they need. The same can be said for their water. It must be fresh and clean to avoid issues with illnesses.
Heat is one of the most important parts of raising baby chickens. If you noticed they are huddled near the heat source in a group, most likely, their home isn’t warm enough. If they are staying away from the heat source, and one another, they are too warm. Keep a close eye on all of this so your chicks can make the transition to life outside without issue.
In Conclusion
Raising baby chickens is difficult but can be very rewarding. Providing the love and care these little creatures need to grow up and be healthy, productive chickens can make any breeder proud. The 4 to 5 weeks you spend preparing your babies for life outside will give them all the tools they need to survive on their own. You’ll be a proud chicken parent and reap the rewards your hard work provides.
Featured Image Credit: PCHT, Shutterstock
