When you bring home new baby chicks, there are a few things you will need to know to have a successful start. Check out this video from Nutrena Poultry Specialist Twain Lockhart for details.
Thanks for watching! Please leave any comments or questions you have.
Awesome! I’m getting chicks in April. Want to do this right so am gathering all the info I can. I have raised chickens at assorted times in my life and grew up with them but refresher info is always welcome. Thank you for the facts and the simplicity of this video.
Thanks for the tip about the “poopy butt!” Actually, I was cleaning their wee bottom’s, only becuase it looked better! Now I know there’s a real reason for it.
Ihave a question about the coop. How high do we put the laying boxes? Also for young chicks (6 wks.) how low and what size are the roosting bars? I’m talking circumfirance of the bar.
Hi Renee,
Great questions! Your laying boxes should be placed about 2 to 3 feet off the ground…and just a tip on placing your nesting boxes: make sure they are lower than your roosts. Chickens like to get to the highest spot to feel safe and secure, so if your nest boxes are higher than your roosts you may have chickens sleeping in them, which is a very messy situation! Roosts can easily be made out of 2 x 4s with the wide part for the bird to sit on. This is good especially in winter because the birds can sit on their feet and keep them warm. Tree branches with wide diameters can work equally well and provide some variation in size for different sized birds – so this may be your best option for your small birds, although they will be adult sized before you know it!
very informative, thanks
I read on one of the other blogs on your site that the roost should be 18 inches above the floor. that would be lower than you recommend for the nesting boxes. Sooo??
The roost should always be higher than the nest box, and heights are approximate.