It’s officially spring, and if you’re thinking about starting a flock of your own, there are some important things to consider before you bring home those cute little chicks.
I remember the first time I brought home chicks and a couple of ducklings. I was so excited but totally unprepared! Luckily, my husband stepped in and saved the day. From that experience, I learned the importance of research, communication and being prepared.
Do You Live in an Area That Allows Chickens?
Before buying chicks, make sure you’re familiar with your local ordinances. Does your area allow chickens? If so, how many? Research is key because you’ll quickly become attached to these little cuties, and you don’t want to face having to give them away!
Which Chicken Breed is Best for You?
Think about why you want chickens. Are you in it for the eggs, teaching your kids responsibility or simply for fun? I have many different types of chickens, and I choose based on their personality. I prefer docile, friendly chickens that are sweet to my family and visitors. I also consider their egg production, egg color and whether they are cold or heat hardy—important for us in Minnesota’s extreme weather!
Where to Buy Your Chicks
Once you’ve decided on the types of chickens you want, you can purchase chicks from several places:
Hatcheries
Local farm stores
Breeders
You can even hatch chicks from eggs using an incubator! Timing is important because chick availability depends on the time of year.
Setting Up Your Brooder
Before you bring your chicks home, you’ll need to set up a brooder. Each chick requires about 2 square feet of space.
Here’s what you’ll need:
Chick feed
Water
Heat panel
Brooder space (I use a large tote with puppy pads, but cardboard panels work too)
For a more detailed setup guide, check out my past blog and video on how to set up a chick brooder.
Don't Forget Your Baby Chick Care Kit
When picking up your chicks, be sure to grab a Baby Chick Care Kit. These kits contain everything your chicks will need for their first month of life and are an easy, natural way to give them a strong start!
Another essential product is First Peep, a non-medicated chick feed supplement that promotes healthy digestion, gets chicks eating and gives them the nutrients they need to thrive. You can purchase First Peep as part of the Baby Chick Care Kit or on its own—making it simple to provide the best care for your chicks from the start!
Preparing a Coop for Your Growing Flock
Chicks grow quickly, so make sure your coop is ready before they outgrow the brooder. Each chicken will need about 4 square feet of space in the coop. I also recommend having a run area with 10 square feet of space per bird. If you live in an area with predators like we do, make sure your run is enclosed. You can find more details in my blog and video on setting up my chicken coop.
Safely Integrating Chicks into Your Flock
If you already have chickens, you’ll need to safely integrate the new chicks into your existing flock. Pecking order is a real thing, and proper integration is crucial to avoid issues. For tips on how to do this, check out my past blog post and video.
Enjoy your new feathered family members and have fun raising your flock!
Until next time,
–The Wing Lady
Baby Chick Care Kit
Whether you are a first-time chicken owner or a seasoned veteran, the Baby Chick Care Kit is the easy and natural way to get your baby chicks off to the best start. Kit includes - First Peep, Chick E-lixir, Coop Recuperate and baby chick success guide.
First Peep - Chick Feed Supplement
First Peep is a non-medicated chick feed supplement that naturally supports digestive health in baby chicks the first few weeks of life and gets them eating.