So you are ready to start raising chicks? You’ve come to the right place! I’ve created a simple guide to raising chicks to get you started.
Our family loves raising chicks. I mean who can resist the small puffs of cuteness? I remember when we got out first 6 chicks; I felt completely unprepared. I had researched sure, but everything was either super complicated or lacking information. So I decided that I would share what we’ve learned first hand and make it a simple guide to raising chicks.
FIRST THINGS FIRST – RAISING CHICKS
Chicks don’t stay little for long. So the first thing to know when raising chicks is that you’ll need their outdoor coop and run ready ASAP.
Legalities before you start. You’ve checked your city ordinances and you can legally have chickens. Or you’ve decided to be a rebel and raise them anyway (aka stealth chickens).
You have a place on your property that will allow at least 4 square feet of coop space and 10 square feet of run/yard space per chicken.
RAISING CHICKS – EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES NEEDED
A Brooder
Depending on how many chicks you’ll be starting with, there are many things you can use as a brooder. We use a large rubber maid tub. I like it because it is easy to clean; chicks can be very messy. But I have also seen people use plastic baby pools with a solid “fence” around it. You don’t need something fancy; just enough space, something that can be cleaned easily, and something that will keep the chicks in and unwanted visitors out. Keep in mind that this will need to be big enough to accommodate the chicks until they are about 6 – 8 weeks old; so give them room to grow.
