The day has finally come! We’ve set up our brooder and are ready to welcome our new baby chicks. I’m someone who gets excited about the little things in life, and this was no exception! There’s something so special about holding those soft, fluffy chicks for the first time.
Choosing the Right Breeds for Our Flock
When it came time to pick out our chicks, I did my research (with a little help from a friend). It’s important to choose the right chicken breeds based on your climate and needs. We live in a region with four seasons, including cold winters, so we needed chickens that are winter hardy. On top of that, we wanted good egg layers with friendly temperaments, since we love pets that love us back! (Haha!)
We settled on three breeds for variety: Buff Brahma Bantams, Black Jersey Giants and Barred Plymouth Rocks. Each chick was adorable, and we quickly settled them into their brooder.
What is "Pasty Butt"?
What’s “pasty butt” you may ask? It’s exactly as it sounds! Their sweet little “vents” (aka: butt) can be clogged with poop. Outside of being gross, it can also be deadly for chicks. You will need to check for this daily. We did have a couple of chicks with it, so we gently put their butts in warm water to loosen the poop. Then, we very gently wiped away the “pasty” poop. You must be very careful when you do this as you can harm or even kill your chicks if you’re not gentle.
Setting Up the Brooder for Success
Baby chicks are fragile, so making sure your brooder is set up correctly is crucial. You’ll need to keep the temperature at 95 degrees when they first arrive. Also, have fresh food and water ready to go!
It’s a good idea to introduce your chicks to their water by gently dipping their beaks in it. I added Chick E-lixir to their water, which they loved! Chick E-lixir contains electrolytes to rehydrate chicks after their trip home. Fresh, clean water is essential for raising healthy chicks, and I also added First Peep to their food by sprinkling it around their feeder. Both Chick E-lixir and First Peep are available in the Baby Chick Care Kit by Strong Animals, which has everything you need to start your chicks off right!
Keeping the Brooder Clean
I admit, I became the crazy chicken lady during the first few weeks of their lives—checking on my girls several times a day! Chicks are messy, so I constantly cleaned their water and feeders to ensure they had fresh supplies. Chickens poop a lot, so be prepared for that.
The Coop Recuperate in my Baby Chick Care Kit was a lifesaver. It helped extend the life of the bedding and kept the brooder dry and smelling fresh, making cleanup easier!
Spending Time With Your Baby Chicks
One of the best parts of raising chicks is spending time with them. My family and I loved interacting with our new flock. However, if you have small children, keep a close eye on them—chicks are fragile in their early weeks. Also, always wash your hands with soap and water after handling them.
I visit the chicks multiple times a day. They’re always peeping and making noise, and I’ve started singing the same song when I go out to them. It’s hilarious to hear them stop peeping when they know I’m there. I can’t wait to see how their personalities develop!
Until next time,
-The Wing Lady
Baby Chick Care Kit - Chick Care Made Easy
Whether you are a first-time chicken owner or a seasoned veteran, the Baby Chick Care Kit is the easy and natural way to get your baby chicks off to the best start.
First Peep - Chick Feed Supplement
First Peep is a non-medicated chick feed supplement that naturally supports digestive health in baby chicks the first few weeks of life.
Coop Recuperate - Freshen Up Your Chicken Coop
Coop Recuperate is a safe and natural way to care for your coop. This coop refresher contains organic eucalyptus and lemongrass essential oil, along with diatomaceous earth to reduce odor and moisture and help improve the quality of your compost.