What to have on hand when new Chicks Arrive

[ChickCrazed]

Hi, I am expecting my first chicks this weekend. I ordered an Eco-Glow brooder heater and chick feeder/waterers. I know I need a proper container and food and bedding. What else should I get in advance?

 

[Farmer Viola]

I like to have blocks of wood that I add over time as they get bigger, I put the wood under the waters/feeders to raise them up.

It's good to have sav-a-chick electrolyte packets AND probiotic packets onhand, I mix both packets in 1 gallon of water and I store it in my fridge. I give the probiotic/electrolyte in addition to regular water fresh every day until it runs out.

At JoAnn Fabric, I buy blue marbles/pebbles that are for vases. I use them in the chick waterers so they can't drown, they're about $2.50/pack and that will fill 2 waterers that are pint size.

GroGel is a powder product, you add water and it turns into green jello kind of. It's a good way to get them to drink at 1 day also, no risk of drowning. high-moisture gel that's packed with protein, energy, vitamins and probiotic bacteria - optional, but kinda cool.

VetRap - it's only $4.50 on Amazon and it will last you FOREVER. it's good for a lot of things, but I originally bought it to make leg splints and hobbles but it's very versatile.

NutriDrench or Poly Vi Sol - this is a concentrated vitamin supplement for emergencies (example: wry neck). It's good to have on hand so you dont have to turn to the feed store in case of emergency but it is not necessarily required..

Chick grit... make sure bedding is pine, not cedar...

 

[Ridgerunner]

What chicks need is appropriate food, water, protection from the elements, protection from predators, and a heat source. If you have those covered, you are good to go.

You can do a lot of other things. I use rocks in the waterer instead of marbles. Just a different way of achieving the same thing. I take dirt from the run and give that to them at Day 2 to get them grit, introduce any probiotics the adults have, and start them on developing flock immunities. You don’t have to do that, you just need to cover the five things I mentioned and you’ll be OK.

Good luck and welcome to the adventure. It’s fun.