Backyard Chicken - What you’ll need

What you’ll need:

Now that you know the breed for you, it’s shopping time! The most important starter supplies are for the chicks’ first home, called a brooder. Bring this checklist to your local Purina® retailer to purchase supplies to keep your chicks comfortable.

Plan for your chicks’ adult home as well. Chicks will move to the chicken coop at 6–8 weeks. Find more information about chicken coops below.

Purchasing chicks:

Make sure chicks are from a credible U.S. Pullorum-Typhoid Clean hatchery that vaccinates chicks for Marek’s Disease or a hatchery that participates in the NPIP (National Poultry Improvement Plan) program.

You may be able to pick up chicks at your local Purina® retailer during Purina® Chick Days. You can also order chicks from a hatchery online or from a breeder. When purchasing, be sure to ask the correct questions, including: breed, gender and if the chicks are vaccinated for Marek’s disease and coccidiosis.

Choosing a complete feeding program:

Your flock’s feed will play a big role in their early growth, long-term health and the quality of eggs they produce. Map out a complete feeding program in advance. You will need one complete starter-grower feed for baby and growing chicks and one complete layer feed for when your birds turn 18 weeks old.

For both stages, look for a complete feed that is research-proven and made to match your flock goals. The complete feed will make up at least 90% of your bird’s diet, so it should include all the nutrients they need at the correct levels, with no need to add any supplements.

See the next page for tips on selecting a starter-grower feed and below for pointers on choosing a complete layer feed.

For under 18 weeks

Pick one starter feed:

For over 18 weeks

Pick one layer feed:

Choosing a starter-grower feed:

Start your chicks strong by picking a complete starter-grower feed that matches their needs. Look for a complete feed that provides the nutrients they need to support their growth and high energy.

In your starter feed, look for: 18 percent protein to support early chick growth, vitamins and minerals for development and ingredients such as prebiotics and probiotics to support chick health.

Medicated vs. Non-medicated: Complete starter feeds come in two different formulas: medicated (with amprolium, this is not an antibiotic) or non-medicated. Feed a medicated starter feed to chicks not vaccinated for coccidiosis and a non-medicated starter feed to chicks who were vaccinated for the disease. If you are unsure that the chicks were vaccinated, then choose the medicated starter feed. Do not switch between medicated and non-medicated starter feeds, continue with the same feed until you transition to a layer feed.

Ducks, geese and mixed flocks: For ducks, geese, and other nonlaying poultry, feed Purina® Flock Raiser® crumbles or Purina® Duck Feed from day 1 through adulthood. When the ducks and geese begin to lay eggs you can continue to feed Purina® Flock Raiser® or Purina® Duck Feed but provide supplemental oyster shell so hens get the calcium they need. Another option is Purina® Game Bird Layena®. Be sure to offer the males in the flock Purina® Flock Raiser® or Purina® Duck Feed if you are feeding a layer feed. When hens stop laying eggs for the season, return them to Purina® Flock Raiser or Purina® Duck Feed.

Setting up the brooder

The chicks are almost here! Prepare by setting up a brooder at least 24 hours in advance.

1. Disinfect all materials prior to use. Choose a disinfectant that is safe for animals and doesn’t leave a residual film. A mixture of 10 percent bleach and 90 percent water can work well. Rinse thoroughly. Keep disinfectants handy so you can clean materials weekly.

2. Place your brooder in an area that is warm, draft-free and near electricity.

3. Set up your brooder. Provide at least 3 to 4 square feet per chick in a brooder that is circular and expandable. Avoid having square corners as chicks could get trapped.

4. Add absorbent wood shavings to the floor of the brooder, 3 to 4 inches deep, to keep the area dry and odor free. Do not use cedar shavings or other types of shavings that have a strong odor. Remove wet bedding daily, especially around waterers.

5. Assemble a heat lamp about 20 inches above the bedding in the center of the brooder. Provide 2.5 to 3 feet between the lamp and the guard walls so chicks can cool down if needed. The temperature under the heat lamp should be 95° F on day one. Once chicks arrive, you will adjust temperature each week.

6. Place starter feeders in the brooder. Provide 4 linear inches of feeder space per bird. Start with clean egg cartons or slips of paper as feeders for easy access. Have low-lying or trough feeders on hand for day two when you will transition from the starter feeders to your everyday feeders. Feed should be available to the chicks at all times.

7. Place starter feeders in the brooder. Provide 4 linear inches of feeder space per bird. Start with clean egg cartons or slips of paper as feeders for easy access. Have low-lying or trough feeders on hand for day two when you will transition from the starter feeders to your everyday feeders. Feed should be available to the chicks at all times.

8. For every 25 chicks, fill two 1-quart waterers with room temperature water and place in the brooder. To help water stay at room temperature, place the waterers away from the heat lamp. The first thing you should do when chicks arrive is teach them to drink by dipping their beaks into their water.

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