If you are buying them from a place like TSC, they might not sell you less than 6. They do this to keep parents from buying their kids a baby chick as a toy, because they tend to get forgotten about after a week or two.
You need: Heat lamp, it costs appx $9.00 The heat bulb, which is around $5.00 Pine Shavings for bedding, and you can get a big bag for $5.99 at a farm store like TSC A brooder, which can be a big sturdy cardboard box, or a plastic storage bin/tote works great, you might have one laying around, if you buy one it's probably going to cost appx $13.00 Chick starter crumbles, and a big bag can cost appx $10.00, but that for 50 lbs. You can buy a smaller bag for around $7.00, but the bigger bag is a better deal. A chick waterer, which will be less than $10.00 A Chick feeder to put your starter crumbles in. This price varies depending on what kind you buy. You could use the top of an egg carton, and just fill that with the feeder if you want, for now, but the feeders are better. And some paper towels. A cheap thermometer, that is on a plastic card will do nicely. Get your brooder all set up with the light on before you pick up your chicks. Place the wood shavings in the bottom. (Don't use newspaper because it's slippery for the chicks) Aim your light in one corner of the brooder, or on one side, so they can go in and out of the light to warm up or cool off. The temp under the light should be appx 98 degrees to start. If you get bantam chicks, put marbles in the water tray because the chicks could get in there and drown. Put a paper towel over a section of the pine shavings, and sprinkle some food on it for them to scratch at. That's it. Make sure there is no draft for your chicks, and you're all set!
Thanks,But i wonder if i could use a 10 gallon tank for 1 chick until i get something better? Also what is the best kind of chicken for kids to be around?
