Ultimate Raising Chicks Guide (Laying Chickens)
1 Day old baby chicks being taken home.
Raising chicks as day 1 newborns can be a rewarding experience. This guide below will provide an in-depth overview of the entire chick raising process, from day 1 to 18 weeks, and will encompass everything from what to feed your chicks to how to house them, and anything in between. This beginner’s guide will help to prepare you for the journey in making sure your baby chicks will become great adults that provide you years of joy to your family!
Intro
If you’re new to the chicken keeping hobby, or searching for an expansive and comprehensive guide on raising baby chicks; including a week by week walkthrough, then you’re at the right place! Or perhaps you’re not new, but a chicken enthusiast looking for a refresher guide on how-to raise baby chicks. Either way, this guide will help you to be prepared for your new chick raising journey. This guide will focus on the basics with week by week details, so that you can easily raise happy and healthy chicks. The guide will also cover some unforeseen circumstances (which do happen sometimes when raising chicks); and will help you to be prepared for these beforehand if they do occur.
Pre-Chick Checklist
Before you go out and buy your chicks or order them online, be sure to get supplies and a brooder prepared beforehand. Don’t wait until the day of to prepare (although we do understand that spontaneous chick purchases are common). However, preparing your brooder and chick supplies beforehand can help to minimize the newborn chicks time away from a non-heated environment, and help aid in keeping them calm during a transition. Furthermore, reducing the time that chicks are away from a safe brooder environment will in turn reduce chick stress and improve outcomes.
Below is a checklist of the items needed:
- Brooder: Make sure the brooder has high walls so that your chicks won’t escape, or if not, has some form of a cover on top. Ideally, 3-4 sq. ft. per chick is required
- Bedding: Pine shavings are the best bedding for your chicks. Do not use newspaper, paper towels, or other types of shavings, including cedar (which is toxic)
- Heat Source: Chicks need either a brooder plate or a heat lamp. Brooder plates provide a space for chicks to get warm, while a heat lamp provides heat source
- Feeder: Chicks require a feeder so they will be able to consume nutrients. They will also need a feeder or separate small feeder for chick grit
- Waterer: Chicks require a waterer so that that they will be able to access fresh water
- Chick Feed: Chicks require a starter/grower feed This cannot be substituted for any other type of feed, and must be available as free access at all times
- Chick Grit: You will need to provide chick grit to chicks at around 1 week old. Provide it as free access in a small saucer or separate feeders at all times
Day 1 (Week 1)
If you’re new to the chicken keeping hobby and searching for an expansive and ultimate guide on raising baby chicks; including a week by week walkthrough, then you’re at the right place! Or perhaps you’re not new, but a chicken enthusiast looking for a refresher guide on how-to raise baby chicks. Either way, keep reading this guide so that you will be fully prepared for your new chick raising journey. This guide will help in preparing you for raising happy and healthy baby chicks, while also help to equip you for any unforeseen circumstances (which do happen sometimes when raising baby chicks); and help you to be prepared beforehand if they occur.
Raising baby chicks can be a rewarding experience. This guide will provide an in-depth overview of the entire chick raising process, from day 1 to 18 weeks, and will encompass everything from what to feed your chicks to how to house them and anything in between. This beginner’s guide will help to prepare you throughout your journey in making sure your baby chicks will become great adults that provide you years of joy to your family.
Raising chicks as day 1 newborns can be a rewarding experience. This guide below will provide an in-depth overview of the entire chick raising process, from day 1 to 18 weeks, and will encompass everything from what to feed your chicks to how to house them, and anything in between. This beginner’s guide will help to prepare you for the journey in making sure your baby chicks will become great adults that provide you years of joy to your family!
Week 2
If you’re new to the chicken keeping hobby and searching for an expansive and ultimate guide on raising baby chicks; including a week by week walkthrough, then you’re at the right place! Or perhaps you’re not new, but a chicken enthusiast looking for a refresher guide on how-to raise baby chicks. Either way, keep reading this guide so that you will be fully prepared for your new chick raising journey. This guide will help in preparing you for raising happy and healthy baby chicks, while also help to equip you for any unforeseen circumstances (which do happen sometimes when raising baby chicks); and help you to be prepared beforehand if they occur.
Raising baby chicks can be a rewarding experience. This guide will provide an in-depth overview of the entire chick raising process, from day 1 to 18 weeks, and will encompass everything from what to feed your chicks to how to house them and anything in between. This beginner’s guide will help to prepare you throughout your journey in making sure your baby chicks will become great adults that provide you years of joy to your family.
Raising chicks as day 1 newborns can be a rewarding experience. This guide below will provide an in-depth overview of the entire chick raising process, from day 1 to 18 weeks, and will encompass everything from what to feed your chicks to how to house them, and anything in between. This beginner’s guide will help to prepare you for the journey in making sure your baby chicks will become great adults that provide you years of joy to your family!
Week 3
If you’re new to the chicken keeping hobby and searching for an expansive and ultimate guide on raising baby chicks; including a week by week walkthrough, then you’re at the right place! Or perhaps you’re not new, but a chicken enthusiast looking for a refresher guide on how-to raise baby chicks. Either way, keep reading this guide so that you will be fully prepared for your new chick raising journey. This guide will help in preparing you for raising happy and healthy baby chicks, while also help to equip you for any unforeseen circumstances (which do happen sometimes when raising baby chicks); and help you to be prepared beforehand if they occur.
Raising baby chicks can be a rewarding experience. This guide will provide an in-depth overview of the entire chick raising process, from day 1 to 18 weeks, and will encompass everything from what to feed your chicks to how to house them and anything in between. This beginner’s guide will help to prepare you throughout your journey in making sure your baby chicks will become great adults that provide you years of joy to your family.
Raising chicks as day 1 newborns can be a rewarding experience. This guide below will provide an in-depth overview of the entire chick raising process, from day 1 to 18 weeks, and will encompass everything from what to feed your chicks to how to house them, and anything in between. This beginner’s guide will help to prepare you for the journey in making sure your baby chicks will become great adults that provide you years of joy to your family!