New with chickens

Hello and welcome to BYC! :frowGlad you joined.
For 11 chicks, you should start with a brooder that is about 10 sq ft.
I would use a brooder plate with a towel tossed over it and draping down the back and sides for a heat source. Brood outside in a garage or other secure building where the chicks will have lots of fresh air. Cover the top of the brooder with screening to keep them from flying out. They start flying in their second week.
I like using a baby bottle. I made mine out of a thrift store sports bottle with a flip top cap and hook to hang it from. I installed a vertical poultry nipple in the bottom. It works great to keep the water clean and the brooder dry.
baby bottle close up.png
babies using bottle.jpg

I would start building the coop and run now. Avoid buying a prefab as they are not worth the money you pay for them, are poorly designed and fiercely undersized for the number of birds they claim they will hold.
I suggest modifying an old shed into your new coop. If you don't have something on your property already, you can start looking for one for sale on CL or FB.
Make sure you provide 4 sq ft of floor space per bird, 12" of roost space and position roosts higher than nest boxes so the birds don't sleep in the nest boxes. You only need 1 nest box per 4-5 birds. Install ventilation up high. The best place to get good ventilation is to open up the space between all the rafters, install gable vents up high and a ridge vent if you can. Secure all openings with 1/2" hardware cloth and install a predator apron around the base of the coop and run to prevent digging predators.
If you can get your coop done, you can brood the chicks right in the coop.
Good luck and have fun.
 
Hi! I’m new here. I’m also new with chickens. I’ll be receiving my chicks on 3/26. 11 chicks. I’ll be making my brooder box. I ordered everything I need for it. PLEASE send suggestions!!
Welcome, I got lucky with my first hatch of day olds, but not so lucky on the 2nd. My suggestion is be prepared to isolate bullies and quarantine sick chicks immediately.

Thankfully I have a few dog pens from Petco which have come in handy.
 
Welcome here. How EXCITING this new adventure is. They are a joy, ( mostly) lol, they all have such different personalities. And then to get eggs in the future! BONUS!
I agree start in garage, the chicks are non stop noisy and very messy. They might not all make it but that's normal, don't beat yourself up for it. They are so worth it!
Make sure you do what you can to get them used to you by giving treats after awhile out of your hand. ( My 1st hens still prefer to eat out my hand! ) it helps when I need to examine them.
Enjoy them I don't think you'll be sorry, they're are great articles and very helpful folks to help you every step of the way.
 

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