Pre-chick setup

Getting baby chicks is exciting and sometimes spontaneous. I do urge everyone to setup a proper brooder space before the arrival of your new chicks. Setting up brooder spaces before hand ensures a properly functioning brooder space.  

Essential Items

  • Brooder Plate
  • Chick Feeder 
  • Chick waterer 
  • Puppy pads
  • Pelleted Bedding
  • Poultry vitamin/probio 

Pop Up Dog Play Pen/s 

Makes for wonderful in home brooders and the mesh helps keep poultry dust inside pen and out of your lungs. Always have chicks in a separate bathroom or a space larger than 2000sf if brooding inside with people. Clean and prevent dust as its harmful to inhale.

Brooding tips 

  • Place brooder plates at an angle and check to make sure they are not too low or high. As chicks age the plate will need to be raised.  
  • Bantam or smaller chicks (quail) may need crumbles ground finer to be able to   consume. A light amount of sand can be added to fine ground chick feed to treat  for loose stools. 
  • Freed scrambled eggs once a day for the first week + to make for strong healthy chicks. 
  • Medicated chick feed is not necessary with proper sanitation practices. 
  • Only purchase chicks vaccinated for Mareks. 
  • Keep waterers and feeders clean and full at all times. 
  • Have a separate brooder and initial living area for new chicks as they build their immune system. 
  • Keep brooders away from drafty windows and cold night temps. 
  • Have a low light in brooder space for chicks that may wander off from brooder heater plate at night.