Lights: Provide 18 – 22 hours of light for the first week.Do not use cedar shavings or other types of shavings that have a strong odor because the odor could affect the long term health of the bird. Remove wet bedding daily, especially around waterers. Place bedding 3 to 4 inches deep to keep the area dry and odor free. Bedding: Add an absorbant wood shavings bedding to the floor of the brooder.After week one, gradually reduce heat by 5 degrees Fahrenheit each week until reaching a minimum of 55 degrees. The temperature under the heat lamp, or comfort zone, should be 95 degrees Fahrenheit and adequate room in the brooder should be available for the chicks to get out from under the heater if they get too hot. Hang the heat lamp about 20 inches above the litter, with 2.5 to 3 feet between the lamp and the guard walls. Heat lamp: Assemble a heat lamp in the center of the brooder for bird warmth.The area should be circular and expandable. Be sure it is comfortable, warm and draft-free with at least 3 to 4 square feet per chick. Brooder: The brooder is the first home of new chicks.This allows time for bedding and equipment to dry and the temperature to set. Set up your brooder about 48 hours before your chicks arrive. The actions we take before chicks arrive and the care we provide in the first few days can help set-up our chicks to be happy and healthy long-term.īefore baby chicks arrive: Set up the brooder To best transition chicks into a flock, provide comfort, care and complete nutrition from day one.
įor those of us welcoming new chicks, how can we give them a solid start? Start chicks strong by providing a complete chick starter feed from day 1 through week 18. The three key essentials for raising strong baby chicks: Warm, water and feed. Bringing home your baby chicks is an exciting milestone in raising backyard chickens.
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