Caring for baby chicks in the brooder: everything you need to know.

So you've hatched chicks in an incubator or bought from a hatchery and you're not sure what to do now?

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It's not hard to care for a brood of chicks, but there's a lot of information out there which can be confusing and is often contradictory.

Which is why I've gathered everything together for you in one place.

This article is an overview of how to care for chicks in the brooder: from the point of moving them in to the time when they're ready to go outside.

You'll find links to all the different aspects of chick care, from information about how to set up a brooder that's fit for purpose, to when to transfer chicks from the incubator, to the best food and drink - including treats!

In other words, every aspect of their care from hatch to roughly eight weeks old.

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The chick brooder: what it is and how to set it up

Button link to everything you need to know about chick brooders.

What exactly is a brooder? When is it needed, and what should it contain?

This series of articles covers everything you need to know about what a brooder is and what it should contain to make sure your baby chicks are kept safe and warm.

It also contains information about how to design and set up a small and a large DIY brooder.

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Moving your chicks from incubator to brooder

Button link to article: when and how to move chicks from the incubator to the brooder.

So you've had a successful hatch, your brooder is all set up. What comes next?

This article will help your chicks make a successful transition from incubator to brooder.

It covers how long the chicks should stay in the incubator; how to remove them while others are still hatching; what to do about gunk; and what happens when a chick can't get dry.

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What do baby chicks drink?

What do baby chicks drink in the brooder? - Link.

It's always a good idea to introduce chicks to their food and drink source as soon as they're in the brooder.

One of the main problems with drink in the brooder is keeping it clean, and free from chick poop and bedding.

In this article I examine the best drink of all for chicks, and how to keep it clean and safe.

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What should baby chicks in the brooder eat?

What do chicks eat? Link.

Your chicks are safe, warm, and have learned how to drink.

But what about food? Not giving the right food at the right time will cause health problems.

This article discusses the best kind of food for newly hatched chicks, and looks at when they should be moved to a different level of feed.

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What treats can baby chicks have?

What treats can chicks eat? - link

You want to give your chicks the very best start in life, so you're thinking of giving them treats.

Is that wise? When is the best time to treat them, and what are the most delicious, gourmet treats a chick can have without fear of damaging their health?

Find out, in this article.

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Which feeders work well in the brooder?

A review of the four best chick feeders. Link.

Once you've worked out what food and treats your chicks will have, it's important to know which feeders will work best to be able to deliver that food to them efficiently and without losing too much. Chicks have a habit of kicking food all over the place!

Here, four different types of feeder are tested to assess which one is likely to perform well in your brooder.

Discover which is the absolute favourite in this article. 

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Raising friendly chicks

How to raise friendly chickens – link to article.

Raising a flock of friendly chickens starts right here in the brooder. 

This article describes how to begin handling baby chicks so that they become the friendly adults everyone wants their flock to be.

It also contains sections about how to allow children to handle even very young chicks, safely.

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When can baby chicks go outside?

When can baby chicks go outside? Click to go to article.

There comes a time when your chicks are ready to move out into the big wide world. But when is that time?

This article explains that before chicks are released into the Big Girls' coop, it's a good idea to allow them to have some time in the big wide world, where they can get used to new sights and sounds.

This article explains when and how to do that – safely.

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When should chicks be introduced to an established flock?

Button link to article: when should baby chicks join the main flock?

Finally, your chicks are fully feathered and ready to leave their brooder. But when should that be?

This article describes how to know when it's time, what feathering has to do with it, how to plan the brooder and run, why size matters and the best time of day to introduce new members to the flock.

Applying to both chicks and new adults, this is an important article if you're adding to your chickens.

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Name that chick!

Over 100 of the best chicken names for your flock! Link.

Now your chicks are safe, warm and have food and drink, it's time to relax and enjoy them.

Part of that enjoyment is naming your brood! This is a fun activity for adults and children alike. But how to choose?

Here are over 150 of the most popular chicken names, from those kids will love to the cute and funny, and a special section for naming that rooster!

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Baby chicks Hall of Fame!

Tell the story of your chicks, here! Link.

Keeping chicks is a wonderful, exciting time. It can be stressful sometimes, too.

This page is all about your experiences. Share your stories of incubating, hatching or buying chicks, and how you managed caring for your chicks in the brooder.

Always a delight to look at, these pages will make you smile even on the darkest of days!

Link to Raising Happy Chickens home page.