Beyond Cute: The Rewarding Journey of Raising Baby Chicks to Laying Hens

There's something enchanting about the sight of tiny, fluffy chicks chirping away in their brooder. These adorable bundles of joy not only bring immense happiness to their caretakers but also offer a unique opportunity to forge a stronger bond with your future egg-laying companions. If you've ever considered raising chicks, you're in for a treat – and we're here to guide you through the entire process.

Before we delve into the intricacies of chick-rearing, it's worth noting that you don't necessarily need to hatch the eggs yourself. Talking Hens has baby Hy-Line Brown chicks every couple of months along with an increasing range of Purebred chicks which you can learn more about on our website.

However, before you bring your new babies home, it's crucial to understand the responsibilities and challenges that come with raising chicks. While the process is relatively straightforward, proper preparation and knowledge are key to ensuring the health and happiness of your future flock.

The Brooder: Your Chicks' First Home

One of the most important aspects of raising chicks is providing them with a suitable living environment during their first 6-8 weeks of life. This temporary home, known as a brooder, is essential because young chicks are unable to regulate their own body temperature until they lose all their fluff and grow feathers. The brooder serves as a safe, warm space where your chicks can grow and develop until they're fully feathered and ready to join the main coop.

When selecting or creating a brooder, opt for an elongated or circular container with tall, strong sides and a cover over the top. The material that the container is made from should be plastic or metal for ease of cleaning and it must be capable of maintaining warmth and dryness. You can also use a strong cardboard box but be aware of increased fire risk, particularly if using a lamp not designed for brooding chicks and limitations with the bulb life and electricity usage.

Temperature Control: A Delicate Balance

Maintaining the correct temperature in the brooder is crucial for the health and comfort of your chicks. In the first week, aim for a temperature of around 35 degrees Celsius. Each subsequent week, you'll need to reduce this by approximately 3℃ until the chicks are fully feathered and the temperature can be maintained at 21℃.

To achieve this, you'll need a reliable heat source. We always recommend a “designed for purpose”, heat lamp or heat pad manufactured specifically for brooding baby chicks. When using a lamp, ensure it's positioned about 45cm above the chicks and placed at one end of the brooder rather than in the middle. This arrangement allows the chicks to self-regulate their temperature by moving closer to or further from the heat source as needed.

It's important to closely monitor your chicks' behaviour to assess their comfort levels. If they're huddling together and chirping excessively, it’s likely that they are too cold. Conversely, if they're panting, chirping and moving away from the heat source, they may be overheated. A thermometer can be a valuable tool in helping you maintain the ideal temperature range.

Nutrition and Hydration: The Foundations of Health

Providing a continuous supply of fresh food and water is absolutely essential for growing chicks. Their nutritional needs are quite specific, requiring a special chick crumble or micro-pelletised feed designed for chicks up to 6 weeks of age. This specially formulated feed ensures they receive the right balance of nutrients to support their rapid growth and development. Pro Tip! When first placing your new chicks in their brooder, spread some chick feed on a sheet of paper (no-ink), laid on the floor of the brooder so that chicks find feed easily.

When it comes to water, it's crucial to use appropriate chick drinkers to prevent accidental drowning. Both feeders and drinkers should be cleaned and replenished regularly to maintain hygiene and prevent illness. Pro Tip! Provide warm water (20 to 25℃), for the chicks in the first two-weeks of their life.

Safety First: Protecting Your Vulnerable Chicks

Young chicks are incredibly vulnerable and require careful protection from predators and even well-meaning family pets. Ensure your brooder is secure and placed in a safe location where curious dogs or cats can't access it. If you want to take chicks out of the brooder, keep it to a minimum in the crucial first 6-weeks to avoid the risks of them getting cold. Beyond 6-weeks of age, always supervise their time outside the brooder, particularly when introducing them to your backyard after about 8 weeks of age..

Daily Care and Bonding

Raising chicks requires daily attention and care. Regular cleaning of the brooder is essential to prevent the build-up of waste and reduce the risk of illness. You may also need to gently clean the chicks' vents (the area where waste is expelled), with a warm, moist cloth if you notice any build-up called “pasty vent”.

One of the most rewarding aspects of raising chicks is the opportunity to bond with them. Spend time with your chicks each day, talking to them softly and gently handling them. This not only helps them become accustomed to human interaction but also allows you to closely monitor their health and development.

As your chicks grow, you can introduce new elements to their environment to support their natural behaviours. After about three weeks, consider adding a small perch to the brooder. This gives them a chance to practice perching, an important skill they'll need as adult chickens. We sometimes make our perches out of PVC pipe available at Reese Plumbing or Bunnings which can easily be cut and connected to suit your brooder.

Setting Up Your Brooder: Essential Equipment

In addition to the brooder itself and the heat source, there are a few other items you'll need to ensure your chicks have everything they require:

1. Bedding: Pine wood shavings or hemp fibre are excellent choices for absorbing moisture from droppings. Don’t use more than a 5cm layer which will provide our chicks with sure footing as well. You don’t want your chicks to be on any slippery surfaces which can cause a condition known as “splayed leg” which can be difficult to fix.
2. Feeders and Drinkers: While it's possible to use homemade containers, purpose-built chick feeders and drinkers are relatively inexpensive and designed to minimise mess and spills. They are also designed specifically for tiny chicks to use without the risk of drowning or underfeeding.
3. Thermometer: A reliable thermometer will help you monitor and adjust the brooder's temperature as needed.
4. Humidity: For the first 7 days for brooding, the ideal humidity level is 60% which provides a comfortable environment for the chicks. From 8 days onwards, a minimum humidity level of 40% is ideal. Higher humidity can cause poor litter conditions and a build-up in ammonia levels which is not good for the chick's delicate respiratory system. Lower humidity levels can reduce comfort levels, agitate chicks, reduce feather coverage and increase dehydration.
5. Cleaning & Cleaning Supplies: Keep a supply of cleaning materials on hand for daily maintenance of the brooder. Remove any soiled areas of litter and replace them with fresh hemp or shavings. Thoroughly clean all feeders and drinkers before refilling them.

The Rewards of Raising Chicks

While raising chicks certainly requires dedication and effort, the rewards are huge. As one Talking Hens customer shared, "Raising chicks was one of the most rewarding and memorable experiences for our kids. Even now the chooks are all grown, the kids still ask about getting more."

The process of nurturing these tiny creatures from fluffy chicks to fully-grown, egg-laying hens creates a unique bond. It provides invaluable learning experiences for both children and adults alike. It offers insights into the cycle of life, the importance of responsible care and the joy of forming connections with animals.

Moreover, raising your own chicks allows you to have complete control over their upbringing, ensuring they're well-socialised and accustomed to handling. Depending on the breeds, this can result in friendlier, more docile adult chickens that are a pleasure to have around the garden.

Getting Started

If you're feeling inspired to embark on your own chick-raising adventure, now is the perfect time to start preparing. We now have Hy-Line Brown chicks available every 6-weeks so let us know if you are keen to get started with these friendly and highly-productive hens.

Talking Hens has also started to breed and sell an increasing range of heritage or purebred hens. Fertile eggs, chicks and Point of Lay pullets will start showing up on our website and a great way of staying up-to-date is by signing up for our regular Thursday newsletter at the bottom of any of our website pages.

Raising chicks is a journey filled with chirps, fluff and heartwarming moments. With proper preparation and care, you'll soon find yourself with a flock of healthy, happy chickens that bring joy and fresh eggs to your household for years to come. So why wait? Take the first step towards this rewarding experience today, and prepare to welcome some adorable new additions to your family!