So, you need info on starting to raise chickens. And you have the roost all set up and ready for the new inhabitants to move on in. You want to be totally sure that everything is ready when they arrive otherwise there could be utter chaos as you try and get them organized and situated.

Once the baby chickens arrive you will want to examine them extremely well. If they arrive diseased or in poor health let the postal worker see that. Part of their job is to verify that your shipment has arrived alive and in good condition so, if they don’t you should alert the proper authorities immediately so it will be taken care of in a timely fashion.

If all is good with the chicks and you are ready to place them in their new home you want to be sure the temperature is set just right (at least 90 degrees) Keep it heated and maintained for at least a week before the chicks arrive so that the temperature is correct. Once the chicks are placed inside you can begin to reduce the heat by 5 degrees each week for five weeks until they no longer need the heating element to survive. Be sure there is plenty of room for the chicks to move around inside their roost so they can get closer to the heat when needed and move away from the heat when they get too hot.

Keep their water fountain full of fresh clean water with a half a cup of sugar added per each gallon of water. This will give the chicks the energy they need, contrary to popular belief chemicals should not have to be added at all. Mix a fine grit and fill the feed lids full of chicken feed, add the two together and sprinkle generously around the chicken coop for the chicks to eat.

Chickens can carry many microorganisms that are potentially dangerous to humans. Take careful precautions and use proper handling at all times. This will prevent the spread of disease from fowl to person and also avoid person to person disease exposure.

Adults should always be present when children are around the chicks and they too should be taught how best to handle them. You want to avoid bringing the birds around the family’s living area and always wash your hand thouroughly with soap and water after each handling of the chickens.

When you begin to transfer the examined chicks from crate to brooder dip each of their beaks into the water mixture so that they will be familiar with where the food is. Transfer one at a time into the correctly heated brooder.

Keep an eye on the chicks for a few hours after transferring them, you will be able to see if their roost is sufficient or if it is lacking in some areas. By reading the chicks behavior you will be able to tell if the brooder is the correct temperature. If you see all of the chicks fighting to get close to the heat source then you know it needs to be warmer and if they are all at the other end of the brooder you will know it is too hot.

Once the chicks are cozy and content you can relax a bit and just enjoy raising them. Fresh eggs from your own backyard, what could be better?

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