Raise Baby Chicks into Chickens

How to Raise Baby Chicks into Chickens

Baby chicks

Baby chicks are easily tamed and become endearing pets that can live 10 years or more. Socializing chicks can be accomplished in a just few minutes a day, but the more time you spend the more attached and trainable they will be. Soon they will associate you with fun and entertainment, laying the groundwork for happy pet chickens that desire your company and can learn many tricks.

Check with your city to make sure you are legally allowed to have pet chickens.  Many cities allow a small flock of hens, but roosters are not allowed due to noisy crowing.   Hens are quiet, calm, and live happily in a small flock.  A rooster is not necessary for them to produce eggs you can eat!

Purchase your pet chickens from a reputable hatchery.  Chicks sold at farm stores in the spring are not sexed and about half will be roosters.  Many on-line hatcheries have a minimum of 25 – 50 chickens. A site called My Pet Chicken specializes in sexed pet chickens and will ship as few as three.   Make sure to select a breed that will be compatible in your climate.

Study care of baby chicks before you place your order.  They will need a bin or large box, a heat lamp, chick starter feed, grit and water.  The bedding material can be newspapers, paper towels, or wood shavings.  They must be kept warm and dry.  Plan on keeping your chicks inside for several weeks before moving outside to their coop and run.

chicks in their brooder box

chick waterer

gently handling the baby chicks

pet the baby chicks

Playtime outside

Chicks love to play

Purchase a heat lamp shield and a red light bulb or a night black reptile light. These are easily found in the reptile department of a pet store, some hardware stores, or a feed store. A red or black light is less stressful on the chicks as a white light keeps the chicks awake at night. The heat lamp should be placed so that the area directly under it is 90 degrees the first week, 80 degrees the second, and 75 - 70 the third week. The chicks need to be able to move away from the hot spot to self regulate so make sure they have a large enough box. You can adjust the temperature by raising the lamp. The chicks must be kept out of a draft until their feathers grow in.

Handle the chicks as little as possible for the first two days as they are easily stressed. They will need water immediately upon arrival. Use a chick waterer to prevent the chicks from getting wet. Elevating the waterer on bricks will help reduce soiling. Change the water two times a day to keep it clean.

After two days you can begin to socialize your chicks. Place them in a bin and pet them. Allow them to hop on your hand. Talk to them gently. Each day they will get more used to you.

Make a brooding apron. The basic idea is similar to a waiter apron with a wide front pocket. This way you can carry your chicks around with you and do activities while you pet them in the pocket of the apron.

Keep your chicks safe. The wire top to a small animal cage works great to keep your other pets away and the chicks from hopping away during playtime.

Take your pet chickens outside for a short adventures when the weather is warm enough. Keep them safe with a cage and provide water. Happy chicks will explore and walk around. If they are too cold they will huddle together and peep their distress. Keep them warm, dry, and out of a draft. Place the cage in the shade if the sun is hot.

After several weeks the chicks will grow feathers and mature enough to move to an outside coop. Continue to play and handle them every day. Have fun with your pet chicks!

Tips:

Do not feed young chicks anything other than chick starter for at least a month. Their digestive track is very delicate. Not all chicks will survive. Even with the best of care, some chicks will succumb to pasting up disease during the first week. Many people add one extra chick to their order “just in case”, especially if the desired flock is 4 or less.

Order pet chickens that are vaccinated for common chicken diseases. Your hatchery can advise you to current standard practice.

Consider the pros and cons of a medicated feed for the chick starter. This prevents fatal diarrhea illnesses, but prevents your eggs from being labeled organic in the future.

Always wash hands before and after handling the chicks.

Check around for best price of chick feed. A farm co-op will have much better prices than urban specialty stores and may be worth the drive.

Check out tips for Winterizing your coop, caring for backyard chickens, training and socializing your pet chickens, preventing bumblefoot and read our egg diary to learn how many eggs chickens lay.

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