For anyone interested in raising chicks, the process is not hard or complicated. However, there are certain issues that you have to address if you want to be truly successful. Let’s take a look at the basics of raising chicks.

There are basically two ways to get a chick out of its egg. You can use laying hens who will sit on the egg until it hatches or you can use incubators and brooding boxes. The choice is up to you, but many prefer to use the incubator and brooder box this allows for much more control.

One of the keys to successfully raising chicks is preparation. Having the tools you need before needing them is crucial. You will need, at a minimum:

A Secure Chicken Coop

An Incubator

An Egg Tray

Automatic Egg Turner (optional)

Heat Lamp and Thermometer

Brooding Boxes

Shallow Food and Water Trays

Pine Shavings or Newspapers to Line the Brooder Box

You should set your incubator temperature to 99.5 degrees two days before you expect to put the eggs into it. It is also a good idea to make sure the automatic egg turner works properly. It normally takes about 3 weeks for chicks to hatch, and much of that time will be in the incubator so it must work correctly.

It is very important to remember to put the eggs into the turner with the small end of the egg down. The larger end of the egg contains the air sac which the chick will need later on to breathe.

It is also important to monitor the temperature daily. Do not allow the heat inside the incubator to get above 99.5 as this may kill the chick inside the egg.

Some incubators have water troughs. Fill this as directed and keep them filled throughout the hatching period. Make sure you follow the instructions as some incubators should not have the outer trough filled for the first couple of weeks.

On the 18^th day, you want to remove the egg turner and place the eggs on the mesh wire within the incubator. You will not turn the eggs any longer and should not disturb them at all until the chicks hatch.

Another important part of raising chicks is the brooder box. Now is the time to get it ready for the newly hatch chicks. If you buy a brooder box, follow the instructions. If you do not buy one, make one out of a cardboard box with some pine shavings or newspaper on the bottom.

Place your food and water trays inside the box. Chicks should be fed special chick food which is smaller in size that adult feed. Make sure they have plenty of clean water and that the heating lamp is left on and set to the properly temperature.

Raising chicks is not hard; it just takes some preparation and monitoring. Once you have raised a few sets, you will get the hang of it easily and enjoy adding to your flock for many years to come.

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