Raising Chicks (Brooding)

Raising baby chicks is called brooding.  I have several good articles on the correct way to care for your little ones.  I will list many of them and you can read one or all.

http://eggcartonlabels.blogspot.com/2012/03/baby-chick-basics-what-you-need-to-know.html
http://www.backyardchickens.com/LC-first60days.htm
http://farwesthatchery.intuitwebsites.com/MainPage_Content/Chick_Care/Chick_Care.html
http://www.mypetchicken.com/backyard-chickens/chicken-care/guide-toc.aspx
http://www.mcmurrayhatchery.com/chickcare.html

Here is a nice article on an alternative to heat lamps;  http://eggcartonlabels.blogspot.com/search/label/EcoGlow%20brooder

Taking care of chicks is not hard, but a little time consuming.  They have to have adequate heat and fresh food and water every day.  They need to have a safe environment too.  Good luck!

A note about food: it is a personal preference, but I do not use the medicated food.  I use 18-20% protein grower/broiler crumbles.  I find the medicated food makes it harder to get rid of coxi, if they get it.


I have used probably everything out there for brooders.  I tried cardboard boxes, but they get yucky and can hold mold.  So I stick with Rubbermaid type bins,  dog x-pens, little fences, and then I made my stacking 3-tier brooder.  But the only thing I don't like about it, is that the wood is hard to sanitize.  But it is nice until they are about 3 weeks old.  Then they go on the floor of my garage.  Here are a few pics of set-ups I have used.  My brooder is at the bottom.  Here is a link to how we made it;
http://sherryscrazymenagerie.blogspot.com/2011/01/newest-pen-and-brooder-building.html