by Kim Dieter

Created on: April 27, 2010   Last Updated: April 28, 2010

Raising chickens is a popular hobby. Chickens are outstanding producers of fresh eggs and meat and can be successfully raised in a backyard. The birds are interesting to watch as they scratch for grains and hunt for insects. One of most common methods of starting a chicken flock is to raise the birds from day-old chicks.  There are several factors to consider when caring for baby chickens.

 Breed Selection

Chickens are found in many sizes and shapes and the breeds must match the purpose.  Bantams are miniature versions of many of the standard size breeds.  Bantams are active and attractive birds that lay small eggs.  The massive white Cornish and Rock crosses are well known for meat production while the smaller white Leghorns are very efficient layers of large white eggs.  The Rhode Island Reds lay brown eggs while the Araucana lay green or blue tinted eggs. The Polish have massive topknots of feathers while Cochins have feathers that cover their feet.  They are not top egg producers but are interesting to watch in the backyard.

Chicks of many breeds can be raised together.  However, the Cornish and Rock cross meat birds will require a different diet than other breeds and the small size of the bantams must be considered when selecting waterers and feeders.

Most breeds will begin laying eggs about six months of age.  Meat birds will be ready for processing at six weeks of age or older.

 Where to purchase chicks

Chicks are sold at feed stores and through mail order companies.  Feed stores usually sell any quantities of chicks but often only during the spring and early summer.  Mail order companies sell chicks for most of the year but usually require a minimum purchase of twenty-five chicks.  Mail order chicks arrive when they are two to three days old.  Feed store chicks may be slightly older.

Another option is to purchase fertile chicken eggs and incubate for 21 days.

Males or Females

Chicks are sold as straight run or sexed.  Straight run chicks are a mixture of males and females.  Sexed chicks will be all males or all females.  Hatching eggs usually produce a one to one ratio of males and females. 

Hens will lay eggs without the presence of a rooster.  However, the eggs will not be fertile.  For small flocks, one rooster per eight to twelve hens will provide fertile eggs.

Brooder

A brooder is a place to raise baby chicks from hatching until about six weeks of

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