TABLE OF CONTENTS * Preparing for Your Chicks' Arrival * Picking Up Your Chicks * Providing Warmth * Hydration is Key * Feeding Your Chicks * The First 24 Hours * FAQs Receiving baby chickens by mail is an exciting experience for any backyard chicken owner or farmer. These tiny creatures require special care upon arrival to ensure their health and well-being. We'll walk you through the essential steps to care for your mail-ordered chicks, from preparation to their first 24 hours at home. PREPARING FOR YOUR CHICKS' ARRIVAL Before your baby chickens arrive, it's crucial to have everything ready: * Set up the brooder at least 24 hours in advance with the right bedding. You can use pine shavings, aspen shavings, hemp bedding or even paper products. Best practice is to have 3 to 4 inches of bedding material in your brooder. * Ensure the brooder temperature is around 95-100°F at floor level. For the first two weeks it's a great idea to use a heat lamp or a really good radiant heater as the chicks require the right amount of heat and heat plates do not normally provide what they need. * Prepare a chick-specific drinker and feeder * Have chick starter feed ready * Be ready with first aid. This could be electrolytes and vitamins you can put in their water or a chick care kit can be a great idea. PICKING UP YOUR CHICKS When your chicks arrive at the post office, pick them up as soon as possible. This minimizes travel stress and ensures they receive proper care quickly. PROVIDING WARMTH Baby chicks can't regulate their body temperature well, so warmth is critical: * Maintain a brooder temperature of 100°F for the first few hours * Gradually reduce the temperature to just above 95°F by the end of the first day * Use a thermometer at floor level to monitor temperature accurately * Ensure chicks have space to move away from the heat source if needed HYDRATION IS KEY Proper hydration is essential for your new chicks: * Provide warm drinking water (around 100°F) immediately * Dip each chick's beak in the water as you place them in the brooder * Add 4 tablespoons of apple cider vinegar per quart of water for the first week to prevent pasty butt FEEDING YOUR CHICKS Once hydrated, your chicks will be ready to eat: * Place a chick feeder with starter ration in the brooder, away from the heat source * Sprinkle some starter feed on a paper towel or plate to encourage eating THE FIRST 24 HOURS During the initial 24-hour period: * Avoid handling the chicks unnecessarily * Monitor them closely for signs of distress or discomfort * Ensure they're neither too hot nor too cold * Assist any weak chicks in finding water and feed For more information on raising healthy chickens, check out our essential chicken coop accessories and you can find our complete line of coops as well. By following these guidelines, you'll give your mail-ordered baby chicks the best start in life. Remember, patience and attentiveness during the first few days are crucial for raising healthy, happy chickens. FAQS
