Ok, getting 15 chicks next week , a mix of Dominique and buff orpingtons. I still need to get a heat lamp and a brooder (think ill use one of our big moving boxes) and some bedding, thinking of getting wood pellet bedding. I have a long feeder and one small quail waterer (it was all tsc had, might be too small eventually?). Purina medicated chick feed, a few packets of probiotics and electrolytes, a baby cakes treat. What else? I have a feeling I will be very ready to get them outside! Lol. Going it keep them in the workshop/basement.
I seriously doubt you'll need a full heat lamp. The fixture with metal hood and clamp is needed but a 75 or 100w bulb is likely all you'll need to warm an end of the box to 95F. Even though they are only chicks, buy your bedding and feed in bulk bags. It's a rip off to purchase the small bags in front of store and the chicks grow up so will obviously eat 50 lbs of feed soon enough and you'll easily use up a 3 cubic foot bag of pine shavings. I put a layer of paper towels over the shavings first week to give them firmer footing and keep the debris out of water and feed. Also gives them time to grow so you can put the water and feed on wood or stone to raise it up out of liter. They don't need anything other than the chick starter. If medicated you feed that for 8 to 10 weeks- when the 50lbs bag runs out then switch over to a non medicated starter/grower until 20+ weeks or they start laying.
I would reconsider the chick cake treats. In my experience, they love it, but it'l give them runny poo. I also use the quail waterer for the first few weeks, I think it's better than the regular chick base, where you have to worry about them accidentally drowning. With the quail waterer you don't have to worry about it.
We put marbles in a few shallow pans of water for them. They will kick bedding in the water so we have a few pans to swap out daily. We feed chick feed and after a few weeks we will throw small bits of bread in for treats!
