This post is all about what you should know before getting baby chicks

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What You Should Know Before Getting Baby Chicks

There’s no denying that baby chicks are absolutely adorable! Raising chicks can bring you so much joy and fulfillment, while also working your way to farm fresh eggs. However, there are some things you should know before getting baby chicks. In this post we’ll go over 6 important things to consider before getting baby chicks, so you can decide if chicks are the right choice for you! If after this article, you find that baby chicks aren’t a good fit for you, don’t give up on your desire to raise chickens! There are countless opportunities to take on full-grown chickens as well.

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6 Things You Should Know Before Getting Baby Chicks

1. You May End Up With Roosters

This is one of the more challenging parts of raising baby chicks for many people. Whether you don’t want a rooster, or your city prohibits roosters, you should be prepared to end up with some roosters if you get a batch of baby chicks.

Many cities/counties prohibit residents from owning roosters due to the noise (crowing). Roosters can be a helpful addition to your flock. They protect the hens from predators, help them find good treats while free ranging, fertilizes the eggs (if you’re interested in that), and so on. However, roosters sometimes have a tendency to get a bit aggressive towards their caretakers. So even if allowed, many people don’t want to have any roosters in their flock.

You can also only have a certain number of roosters based on the size of your flock. For a balanced flock, you’ll want only 1 rooster for every 8-10 hens. Having too many roosters can can aggression and fighting and/or over-mating resulting in serious injuries or even death within your flock.

Even when you buy “sexed” chicks or “pullets”, there is still a likelihood that you’ll end up with at least one rooster. (Personal Note: We got 4 pullets from Tractor Supply, and 2 out of 4 ended up being roosters.)

Especially when raising chickens from the adorable baby chick phase, it’s very hard not to get attached to them. So it’s imperative that you prepare yourself for the possibility that you’ll end up with some roosters that you’ll have to re-home. Roosters can be hard to find homes for. You’ll see more people trying to get rid of roosters, then people looking to acquire a rooster. So just keep this in mind, and try to have a plan in place, in the event you end up with an unexpected rooster.

Solution: There are some “autosexing” chicken breeds, where the male/female chicks have distinct features that differentiate them, making sexing them much easier from a young age. The Cream Legbar is a very common autosexing breed.

2. They Grow FAST (But still need to be in the brooder)

The little teeny tiny baby chicks at Tractor Supply are almost impossible to resist. But those little cotton balls grow fast! And as they grow, they get more messy. The first week or 2, having the little baby chicks in a brooder in your house is fun. But…as they grow and get more active, you’ll be counting down the days to moving them out to the chicken coop!

If you do decide to get baby chicks, consider getting a quality chick brooder that will make some of the daily brooder tasks easier.

3. Baby Chicks Are MESSY

Baby chicks are as messy as they are cute. They poop a lot, and knock bedding all over the place. You’ll find yourself changing out their waterer multiple times a day because they will get poop and bedding in it. (Sometimes RIGHT after you change it!) So just keep that in mind if you’re considering getting baby chicks. As with all of the things in this list of things you should know before getting baby chicks…it’s temporary. Well…them being messy inside your house is temporary. They’re still messy out in the chicken coop, but it’s much easier to manage in the chicken coop, and it’s not IN YOUR HOUSE (or garage), which makes it much less of a concern.

4. The Brooder Temperature Matters A LOT

Baby chicks need a very warm environment, not only to thrive, but to survive. As your chicks grow each week, you’ll need to lower the brooder temperature accordingly. This will help prepare them for their move out to the chicken coop. Reference the chart below for the appropriate temperature for baby chicks week by week. You’d achieve this using a heat lamp, or heat plate. (Heat Plates are more common these days because it is safer in terms of fire risk, and it better simulates the natural pattern of chicks going under their mother chicken for warmth.

5. You Need To Examine Chicks Daily For Health Checks

Before committing to raising baby chicks, make sure you have the available time in your schedule. In addition to keeping the brooder clean, and changing out food and water, you’ll need to handle your chicks daily so you can examine for health issues. This doesn’t need to take long, and is often enjoyable because chicks can be very fun to interact with, and it’s great bonding time. One common issue to look out for is pastey butt. Pastey Butt is a condition that occurs when a chick’s droppings stick to its vent area, preventing it from excreting waste. If ignored it can even lead to the death of your chick. If you see this happen, just gently clean the area with a warm wet cloth.

6. You’re Not Going To Get Eggs For a While

This may seem obvious, but many people underestimate how frustrating the wait can be when anticipating that first glorious fresh egg. You’ll be doing a whole lot of work, without the benefit of fresh eggs for a while. Most chickens start laying eggs between 18-22 weeks of age. There are many factors that play into when your chicken will start laying eggs, as well as signs to look for.

Check out this post on How To Know When Your Chicken Will Start Laying, to get the scoop on when chickens start laying, signs to look for, and ways to help the process along.

Now that you know 6 very important things you should know before getting baby chicks…is raising baby chicks right for you? If you can accept the 6 things above, it’s very likely that you would be very pleased with the journey. While you can get chickens that are already full-grown, it is really special to bond with, and raise your chicks from only a couple days old.

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What You’ll Find Here

Are you eager to embrace the homesteading lifestyle, but worried about not having enough land? Fear not, for you don’t need vast acres to become a mini homesteader. With a little creativity and effort, you can transform your backyard into a thriving homestead, complete with chickens and a garden. Imagine the satisfaction of growing your own food and using it to whip up delicious, healthy meals. And if you’re ready to take the plunge and raise backyard chickens, you’ve come to the right place. This is where we’ll guide you through the world of modern homesteading.

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