How to Raise and Care for Baby Chickens

There’s nothing quite like the peeping of baby chicks to make your home (or backyard) feel alive with possibility. Raising chicks is one of the most rewarding — and adorable — ways to start your suburban homestead.

Whether you're starting with a small flock or just a few fluffballs, here’s everything you need to know to raise happy, healthy chicks from day one.

Step 1: Choose Your Chicks

You can get baby chicks from local feed stores, hatcheries, or even by mail. Decide how many you want and what breeds fit your goals — are you in it for eggs, friendliness, or backyard charm?

Popular beginner breeds:

• Buff Orpingtons – sweet, fluffy, and great layers

• Barred Rocks – hardy and easygoing

• Australorps – reliable egg-layers and gentle

  
  

Step 2: Set Up a Brooder

Before your chicks arrive, you'll need a brooder — their cozy home for the first 4–6 weeks.

You'll need:

• A box or bin (cardboard, plastic, or wood)

• Pine shavings (not cedar!)

• Heat source (like a heat lamp or brooder plate)

• Chick feeder and waterer

• Chick starter feed

Keep the brooder around 95°F (35°C) for the first week, then lower by 5°F each week until fully feathered.

Step 3: Keep Them Fed & Hydrated

Chicks need constant access to clean water and chick starter feed, which is specially formulated with the protein and nutrients they need to grow strong. Add a sprinkle of electrolytes or probiotics to their water for a healthy start.

Pro tip: Put marbles or small stones in their water dish to prevent accidental drowning in the first few days.

Step 4: Watch Their Behavior

Chicks will let you know if they’re comfy:

• Huddling under the lamp = too cold

• Avoiding the heat = too hot

• Peeping happily and moving around = just right

Clean the brooder daily, and watch for signs of “pasty butt” (when droppings stick to their behind) — gently clean it with a warm, damp cloth if needed.

Step 5: Get Ready for the Coop

Around 6–8 weeks, your chicks will be feathered and ready for outdoor life. Start by giving them short, supervised visits to their coop or run, and make sure it's predator-proof, well-ventilated, and secure for night.

Final Thoughts

Raising chicks is about more than eggs — it's about slowing down, caring deeply, and watching life unfold in the sweetest way. With a little preparation and a lot of love, you'll be amazed at how quickly these tiny fluffballs become the heart of your homestead.