If you’re here to learn how to raise chicks, you’ve come to the right place. It’s been a few years since I updated my ultimate “chick checklist”, so here we are! Here is what you need — as well as a few things to have on hand — that will just make raising chicks a lot easier. After a few more batches of chicks raised, we have a little more insight now, too. This post contains affiliate links which may lead to a commission if purchased. Thanks for your support!
Chick feeder
This is the one we like to use. They’re pretty self explanatory, and we find they last for years. I recommend getting 1 for every 4-6 chicks you bring home. It’s “how to raise chicks” 101, I know, but still important to note.
Chick waterer
There are a few types of chick waterers that are widely used for raising chicks.
We really prefer the nipple chick waterer. Even though it’s a few more bucks at the beginning, we find it saves a bunch of money on wasted bedding that the “pooling” chick waterer tends to spill onto and drench. It does have to be elevated, so we usually just use a little brick (or something similar) to keep it up in place.
Chick food
Some people like to use medicated feed from the beginning, since baby chickens are very prone to getting sick. But if medicated feed isn’t your thing, I’ve linked a non-medicated option below. We like to use organic — but I’ve linked cheaper, non-organic version, too.
Whatever you go with, I recommend “crumbles” over “pelleted”, as they’re much easier for the chicks to digest.
- Medicated chick feed
- Non-medicated chick feed (5 lbs)
- Non-medicated chick feed, bulk (25 lbs)
- Organic chick feed
Chick Grit
Grit is necessary for chickens to break down their food. “Chick” grit is the size that their little bodies need. There is some debate as to whether chicks need grit or not if they are only on chick crumble. However, we give it to our chicks just to be safe, and to make sure they’re ready for the “good stuff” when we start giving it to them. (Table scraps, chicken treats like dried soldier fly larvae, etc.) This is an often-overlooked aspect of how to raise chicks.
Food scooper
This is what we use to scoop the chicken feed from the bag into their feeder. I’ve linked a size more appropriate for adult chickens, as well as a mini-scoop for the chick days. Not a “how to raise chicks” requirement, but certainly one that will make your life easier.
Electrolytes (optional)
Technically optional, but electrolytes come highly recommended for new chicks. Their little systems have been taxed by travel, whether they were shipped or not. This will go a long way in helping replenish electrolytes to keep them healthy and peeping.
Training Mash
This is essentially just fermented chick feed. For some reason, the little ones go crazy for soaked feed, so I use it to train them to enjoy people & being handled. They usually don’t take it from my hand right away, so I start by putting it on a hard surface, with which I can make a “pecking” sound with my finger nail. Then they give it a try too, and usually catch on pretty quick.
Paper towels
Many chicken keepers recommend using paper towels instead of bedding for new chicks for the first few days. This is because baby chicks tend to peck at the pine bedding, and often ingest pieces they can’t pass, which results in sour or impacted crop. This is especially true for chicks who aren’t being raised by a mama hen who can teach them what to eat & what not to eat. I found this tip very helpful when learning how to raise chicks.
Soap, water, & designated “washing station”
Good hygiene is both simple and important when handling chickens. It’s useful to have a designated hand-washing station, which is always used after any kind of chick or chick handling. (We don’t use our kitchen sink for this.) Mrs. Meyer’s “rose” scent is my favorite, these days.
Bedding
After the chicks know good & well what their food looks like, it’s time to transition them to regular “chicken bedding”. This can be any kind of brown matter in composting, but we (and most chicken keepers) like to use pine bedding like this. I just would recommend avoiding cedar bedding, as the oils aren’t good for birds’ respiratory systems.
Handheld vacuum
Although optional, I really recommend having a handheld vacuum for the designated chick area. It’s not really about whether or not there will be a mess, it’s more about how much mess there will be. We’ve learned to keep the mess to a minimum when raising chicks, but I still recommend having a handheld vacuum in the room for quick clean-ups.
Brooder Container
The brooder container will be your chicks’ home until they move into their permanent coop. We’ve used a few brooder containers over the years. We started with large totes, which worked alright. However, when we graduated to this pet playpen, we never looked back. It keeps the mess — and chicks — contained so much better. And we think the chicks like it better, too!
Cover for brooder container
If you don’t go with a zip-friendly playpen like the one I liked above, you’ll need some kind of cover to your brooder container to prevent the chicks from flying out. I used to tend to put this off, so don’t be like me. Make sure you have the cover from day 1… they’ll be flying before you know it!
If you decide to use a large plastic tote like we did, do not just use the lid it came with. Make sure you make or use some kind of screen with lots or airflow, but also one that stays on securely.
- Hard container, if you don’t want the playpen-type
Kiddie pool
We’ve had a lot of love for the chick setup I mentioned above, which utilizes the pet playpen. Some of our subscribers even had the great idea to put the whole thing in a little kiddie pool, to contain any potential wet messes completely. Absolutely brilliant.
I’m linking one below, but you can probably pick up a smaller, cheaper one at a local retailer.
Heat Source (Radiant Brooder)
Since many chicks are no longer raised by a mama hen these days, it’s important that chicks have a supplemental heat source to keep them nice and warm. We do not use a heat lamp anymore. Instead, we use a radiant heat chick brooder. We absolutely swear by the radiant heat brooders, since they’re supposed to be much safer than heat lamps. Also, the chicks aren’t stressed by constant light; the brooder is much more similar to the warmth from a mama hen. (Just make sure you read the directions so the height is in the right place.)
Toys for Mental Stimulation
Though not considered “necessary”, chick toys & perches for mental stimulation are a wonderful add for the chick brooder. This can help raise smart, well-balanced (pun-intended…), more confident chicks than those who don’t receive as much stimulation.
Outdoor Playpen
We have two near-identical to these playpens for chicks, because we love them so much! These are the playpens we use to give our chicks outdoor play time. In addition, we use these playpens to safely transition the young pullets in with the older hens. It can be propped up slightly in order to allow the young chicks to run back under, while keeping older hens out.
Outdoor Playpen Cover
I also recommend having a cover for whatever playpen you use for your chicks. Not only will it keep them from flying out, but it will help deter predators, as well. Young chicks are especially vulnerable to air predators, so I don’t let mine out uncovered until they’re under the jurisdiction of our protective rooster, too. At that point, he takes over in deterring air predators.
Training Treats
We’re big fans of dried black soldier fly larvae as chicken treats, since they have major nutritional benefits that mealworms do not. (For example, more calcium for nice strong egg shells.) These come in major handy when training chickens — especially training chickens to come when called. You can use our discount code “OAKABODE” for a discount on Grubterra black soldier fly larvae.
Grown-Up Chicken Coop
Everyone knows the chicks will need a new chicken coop when they grow up. Many people like to build a custom chicken coop from scratch. (Here are the plans for ours.) Others go for a prefab coop, which will likely be less heavy-duty, but will be much easier to assemble. There’s no right-or-wrong answer, you just have to choose what’s best for you & your flock.
Grown-Up Chicken Run
Even if you plan to free range your chickens, it’s highly recommended they have a covered run as well, to protect them from air predators. Covered runs also deter ground predators, as well. We are absolutely obsessed with these easy chicken runs from Amazon. We’ve made runs from scratch, as well as used these Amazon runs. We much prefer the Amazon runs. They’re so easy, and in our experience, they do the job just fine.
So, there you have it. This list is everything that I use for how to raise chicks safely, happily, and healthy…ly. (Is that a word?) What do you like to use when raising your chicks?
Hi:
I’m a super beginner & would like to start with 2 – 3 chicks. I really enjoyed your video; very well done & informative.
Thank you ☺️
Our chicks are 6 wks old now, and your method of raising them was spot on. We are still building their coop, so they are now in the garage in a makeshift brooder for now. Thank you so much for your videos, they helped us so much with raising our first chickens. We are in Wisconsin as well, in the Eau Claire area, so your suggestions apply to us all year round. Thanks!