![]() ![]() Having some electrolytes or plain Pedialyte on hand isn't a bad idea. If you put some dirt in a container for them, they'll also practice taking dust baths in it as well!īaby Chick Supplies That are Nice to Have Electrolytes Like adult chickens, baby chicks need help grinding up their food, so providing them a small dish of grit (or coarse dirt) in the brooder meets that need. I like this style waterer because it can be hung in the brooder and will get less dirty (it also won't tip over!)īaby chicks are top-heavy and can easily tip over and drown in even shallow water, so it's a good idea to put a few small stones or marbles into the water for the first few days to prevent drowning. The water needs to be changed at least once or twice a day. If you are gone all day, having a second waterer is a good idea in case the first one spills, tips over or becomes soiled with feces or full of shavings. As with the feeders, be sure you have enough waterers so that all the chicks can drink at the same time. Chicks will eat, sleep, play, poop and go right back to eating round the clock, so I like to have feed available whenever they get hungry.Ĭhicks need water 24/7 also. I try to keep the feeders filled 24/7 for the first few weeks. Chicks like to eat with friends, so if you are brooding more than 5 or 6 chicks, you might consider getting a second feeder. ![]() You'll need a small chick feeder of course to put their feed in. ![]() There are various brands of organic feed on the market to choose from. They don't eat much, so a small bag will last you quite awhile and you'll be giving them the best, most healthy, cleanest diet from day one. I like to use a white bulb during the day and the red at night and find the chicks seem to do well with that.Įven if you don't plan on feeding organic feed to your chickens for life, I do always recommend that it's worth the little bit of extra expense to start your baby chicks out on organic feed for the first 8 weeks. White light can cause aggressiveness and pecking issue in baby chicks, so it's best to use a red light bulb. Then you can lower the temperature (by raising the lamp) five degrees a week until your chicks have their feathers and the outside temperatures aren't dipping much below 60-65 degrees. ![]() The first week, the brooder should stay around 95 degrees. They can be super dusty though, so I generally don't bother.īaby chicks need help staying warm, so you'll need a heat lamp for them for the first 6-8 weeks. It's grippy and easy to hose off to clean it.Īfter the first few days, you can add some pine shavings to the brooder as bedding. So I like to put a piece of rubber shelf liner on top of the newspaper. Newspaper is slippery and hard for baby chicks to get a good grip on. To absorb any water messes your chicks make, it's a good idea to line the bottom of the brooder with a few layers of newspaper. It can be a cardboard box, plastic tote ( easy instructions for making your own), metal tub or stock tank or puppy playpen. To keep your babies safe, they'll need a nursery, called a "brooder". Of course you need some baby chicks! You can order them online from a hatchery like Meyer Hatchery, find a breeder if there's a particular breed you're looking for, or visit your local feed store or farm.Ĭhickens are social creatures, so I recommend starting with at least three, preferably 5 or 6, or even a few more if your town allows it.īrooder box | Puppy playpen/cardboard box/metal tub or stock tank/plastic tote So take a look at my curated list of baby chick supplies all available online and be sure to bookmark or pin this shopping list of baby chick supplie s to be sure you're ready for the big day!Īnd scroll to the bottom for a handy printable list to bring to the feed store with you!īaby Chick Supplies you Definitely Need Baby chicks (duh!) It's a good idea anyway to assemble everything you need and get your nursery set up well in advance of the arrival of your chicks.Įven if it's not your first time around the block raising baby chicks but it's been awhile, it's a good idea to go over the list to make sure you have everything you need.Ĭheck that bulbs are in good working order, electrolytes aren't expired. While you're at the feed store, you can get your shopping done before you pick out your chicks, but if you're having your chicks delivered, why not have their baby chicks supplies delivered as well? Your chicks need a safe warm place to grow up, feed, water, soft bedding, etc. What you basically need to do is replicate the set-up you see at your feed store. Baby Chick Supply List | Be Ready When your Chicks Arrive! ![]()
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