Bringing home baby chicks is one of the most exciting parts of starting a backyard flock. However, before the chicks come home, it’s important to have everything ready for them. Baby chicks can’t regulate their body temperature and rely on you to provide a safe, warm, and clean environment for the first several weeks of life.

Here’s everything you need to set up a brooder and prepare for your new flock. I’ve linked what I got for my chicks below as well. This post does not contain affiliate links.

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Brooder Setup

A brooder is simply a warm, safe space where baby chicks live until they are fully feathered (usually around 6-10 weeks old).

Many people keep their brooder in:

• A garage
• Mudroom
• Basement
• Laundry room
• Spare room

Brooder Container Ideas

You don’t need anything fancy. Many beginner chicken keepers use:

• Large plastic storage totes (55 gallon +)
• Stock tanks
• A kiddie pool
• A large cardboard box
• A wooden brooder box

For 6 chicks, aim for at least 2 square feet per chick as they grow. Remember, they grow FAST, so be prepared to size up your brooder within a few weeks if you start small. The chicks also begin exploring use of their wings around 2 weeks, so be prepared with a mesh lid if needed.

Your brooder should include:

• Bedding
• Heat source
• Feed
• Water
• Space for chicks to move away from heat

A good setup allows chicks to warm up under the heat and move away when they get too hot.

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Heat Lamps vs Heat Plates

Baby chicks need a heat source for the first several weeks.

They start at 95°F during week one, and the temperature is reduced by about 5°F each week until they are fully feathered.

TIP: Get a thermometer to keep in the coop to monitor the temperature closely.

Heat Lamps

Heat lamps are the traditional method.

Pros

• Inexpensive
• Easy to find
• Provides strong heat

Cons

• Fire risk if not secured properly
• Can overheat the brooder
• Uses more electricity

If you use a heat lamp, always:

• Secure it with multiple clamps
• Avoid plastic near the bulb
• Never hang it by the cord alone

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Heat Plates

Heat plates mimic the warmth of a mother hen.

Chicks go underneath the plate when they need warmth.

Pros

• Much safer than heat lamps
• Uses very little electricity
• Encourages natural chick behavior

Cons

• Higher upfront cost
• Slightly slower chick growth (which is actually more natural)

Many backyard chicken keepers are switching to heat plates because they are safer and more energy efficient.

Here is the heater I am using. I love the adjustable height and that it doubles as a coop heater for Winter.

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Chick Feed and Waterers

Baby chicks need a complete chick starter feed.

Look for feed labeled “Chick Starter” with about 18–20% protein.

You can choose between:

• Medicated feed (helps prevent coccidiosis)
• Non-medicated feed

Both options can work well depending on your preference and environment. Do your research ahead of time to decide which is right for your flock.

Feeders

Chicks do best with a small chick feeder designed to prevent scratching food everywhere.

Plan for about 1 feeder per 6–8 chicks.

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Waterers

A chick waterer prevents drowning and keeps water cleaner.

Many people also add marbles or small stones in the water tray during the first week to prevent tiny chicks from falling in.

Always keep water:

• Clean
• Room temperature
• Available at all times

TIP: Chicks can drink tap water as long as the tap water is also safe for human consumption.

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Bedding

The most common bedding for chicks is pine shavings.

Avoid:

• Cedar shavings (can harm their respiratory systems)
• Newspaper (too slippery)
• Fine shavings (chicks will eat them which is not good for them)

Aim for 2–3 inches of bedding across the brooder floor.

Benefits of pine shavings:

• Absorbs moisture
• Reduces odor
• Gives chicks traction

Spot clean daily and fully replace bedding as needed.

TIP: Add a layer of newspaper under the shavings for an easier clean up.

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Chick Grit

If your chicks are eating only chick starter feed, they do not need grit right away.

However, if you plan to give them:

• Scrambled eggs
• Herbs
• Greens
• Garden scraps

Then you should provide chick grit, which helps them digest food properly. Introduce the chick grit as soon as they eat anything other than starter crumbles.

Chick grit is simply very small crushed stone that helps grind food in their gizzard. Make sure to get chick grit for chicks and not for adult chickens if you are starting it early before the chicks are mature.

Offer it in a small separate dish to eat as needed.

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Estimated Cost Breakdown

Here’s a realistic budget for getting started with 6 baby chicks.

Item	Estimated Cost
Chicks	$4–$8 each ($24–$48 total)
Brooder container	$15–$40
Heat plate or lamp setup	$25–$70
Chick feeder	$8–$15
Chick waterer	$8–$15
Pine shavings	$8–$12
Chick starter feed	$18–$25
Chick grit	$6–$10

Estimated Total:

$110 – $235

After the brooder setup, ongoing costs are mostly just feed and bedding.

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Final Thoughts

Preparing for baby chicks ahead of time makes the first few weeks much smoother. Once the brooder is set up and warm, all that’s left to do is bring your chicks home and enjoy watching them grow!