Bird Husbandry

Preparing For Chicks 

• For the first 6-8 weeks chicks, need to be kept inside in an area such as a garage where the temperature can be well controlled in an area, referred to as a brooder

• The brooder walls should be at least 18 inches tall to prevent chicks from escaping

• The brooder can be filled with dry poultry litter or other easily changed surface such as wood shavings

• There should be a heat source such as a heat lamp kept at 90-95 degrees for the first week and reduced 5 degrees per week as the birds age

  • Have enough space under the lamp for all chicks to not be too crowded and an area for them to not be under the heater​

• Have clean fresh water and chick feed available at all times

  • Show a few chicks where the water is by dipping their beaks in and they can show others where to get water from​

• Once the chicks reach 6-8 weeks old, they can be moved to the coop. For more housing recommendations, click the button below to be taken to the bird housing page