Setting up a proper brooder before your chicks arrive is the single most important thing you can do for a successful hatch. Day-old chicks are hardy, but they depend entirely on an external heat source for the first few weeks of life — get the temperature wrong and you'll face losses that have nothing to do with the quality of the birds. Aim for 95°F (35°C) at chick level on arrival day, and drop the temperature by 5°F each week until you reach ambient. A quality heat lamp or radiant brooder plate works well; just make sure you have a reliable thermometer to verify the temperature at floor level rather than guessing.
The brooder itself should be draft-free but not airtight. A circular design — achieved by curving cardboard into a ring — prevents chicks from piling into corners and suffocating. Bedding matters more than most beginners expect: pine shavings are the gold standard for the first week. Avoid newspaper for the first three days because it's slippery and can cause spraddle leg. Cover the shavings with paper towels for day one so chicks can find feed easily and don't pick up shavings instead. After the first 24 hours, remove the paper towels and let them scratch in the shavings normally.
Water is critical in the first hours after arrival. Chicks have been in transit for up to 48 hours and are often mildly dehydrated. Fill your waterers before the chicks arrive so the water is already at room temperature — ice-cold water can stress newly hatched birds. Dip the beak of any chick that appears lethargic to help it find the water. Use a chick-sized waterer with marbles or stones in the base to prevent drowning for the first week. Electrolytes added to the water on day one can help birds recover quickly from shipping stress.
Feed should be available from day one. Use an unmedicated chick starter (20–22% protein) for a straight run or mixed-purpose flock, or medicated starter if your operation warrants it — ask your vet for guidance. Scatter a small amount of feed on paper towels the first day so chicks associate moving and scratching with finding food. By day two they'll be using the feeder reliably. Keep the brooder clean, watch for pasty butt in the first week (and clear it gently with warm water), and reduce the heat source by five degrees each week. By week four to six, depending on breed and outdoor temperature, most chicks are ready to transition outside.
Ready to order your birds?
Browse our live hatch schedule and reserve your chicks, ducks, guineas, or turkeys for any upcoming hatch date.