Is there anything cuter than freshly hatched baby chicks? The little balls of fluff are almost impossible to resist — I immediately gravitate toward them every time I visit my local farm supply store. If you’re charmed by their cuteness and bring some home, there are several important supplies for baby chicks that you’ll need to buy, as well.
If you’re a first-time chicken owner, don’t fret! Taking care of young chicks is easier than you think. In addition to a brooder — a.k.a. where they’ll live for the first few weeks — there are just seven supplies for baby chicks that are absolutely essential. Yup, that’s all! Everything else is just an added bonus for your babies, at least until they’re around 8 weeks old.
So if you’re preparing to bring home your baby chicks for the first time, here’s what I recommend you buy, as someone who’s raised hundreds of chicks.
1. A Feeder
One thing you’ll learn quickly about chicks is that they’re messy. You can feed them out of a regular bowl, but they love to dig in their food, which will make a mess of your brooder. That’s why I like to put food in a container like these, which have holes that are big enough for chicks to put their heads into but not for them to dig in.
2. Chick Starter Feed
Of course, you’re going to need food for your babies, and personally, I like Purina Start & Grow. The crumbles are formulated specifically for baby chicks, and it ensures they’re getting appropriate nutrition to support healthy growth. Even if you don’t use this particular brand, it’s important to give your chicks a starter feed until they’re at least 8 weeks old
Medicated vs. Unmedicated Chick Feed
A quick note on medicated vs. non-medicated chick feed: Medicated chick feed contains medication called Amprolium, which helps prevent a disease called coccidiosis. If you purchased your chicks from a hatchery, they’re likely already vaccinated against this disease (though always ask if you’re not sure!) and you can safely give them non-medicated feed. However, if you got your chicks from a backyard farmer, medicated feed is likely the better option.
3. A Waterer
Your baby chicks need to have access to fresh water at all times, and there are a variety of different waterer styles that you can use. I’ve been using these 1-gallon containers with cup waterers lately, as they hold enough water for several days and are easy to fill. They also come with nipples, which reduce mess even more.
4. Electrolytes
When you first bring your chicks home, it’s a good idea to mix electrolytes in their water for a few days. Each packet is designed to be mixed into a gallon of water, and the electrolyte and vitamin supplement mixture helps the babies to stay hydrated. I’ve found it can help them bounce back if they were stressed during transport.
5. A Heat Lamp or Heat Plate
Your little babies are going to need a heating source to keep them warm for their first few weeks of life, and heat lamps are the more budget-friendly option. You’ll need a lamp, as well as a compatible red light bulb.
Just be super careful when installing your heat lamp, as they’re hot to the touch and can start a fire if they fall into brooder bedding.
Heating plates are safer to use, as they don’t get as hot. Chicks are able to huddle under the warm plate, just like they would with a mother hen, and you can raise the plate up as they get bigger. However, many heating plates only work when the ambient temperature is 50 degrees or higher, and they may not be warm enough if your chicks arrived via the mail.
6. A Thermometer
Speaking of heat, I highly recommend getting a thermometer to make sure your chicks aren’t too warm or cold. Chicks have specific warmth requirements for the first few weeks — this chart from Purina shows the recommended brooder temperature by age.
7. Pine Shavings
No matter what you’re using as a brooder, it’s important to put bedding in the bottom to prevent your chicks from slipping around. Most people simply use pine flakes — my go-to are the Flake Premium Pine Shavings from Tractor Supply, which are inexpensive, all-natural, and great at absorbing moisture and curbing odors.
Wait, Don’t I Need…
- Grit? If you’re solely feeding your chicks Start & Grow (which is technically all they need), you do not need to give them grit. However, if you offer your chicks other food or treats, it’s important to give them Chick Grit to help them digest it. In general, it’s best to wait until your chicks three or four weeks old to start offering them treats.
- Treats? Starter feed and water are all your chicks truly need, but many people like giving treats to their babies. Fruits, vegetables, and mealworms are all good treats for chicks that are a few weeks old, but be sure to offer grit, as well, and feed treats sparingly.
- Toys? It may seem like your chicks would get bored in their brooder, but I promise you, they’re just fine. They don’t need toys and probably won’t use them.
- A Roosting Bar? Most chickens don’t start roosting until they’re full grown, so you don’t need a roosting bar in their brooder. Just be sure they have one once you move them to their permanent coop.
Planning Your Chicken Coop
One word of advice that I will give: Start planning your chicken coop as soon as you bring your chicks home.
Chicks need to stay in a heat-controlled brooder for eight weeks, and while it may seem like plenty of time to build (or buy) a chicken coop, it goes by quickly! By the time your birds are fully feathered and ready to go outside, they’ll be big, rambunctious, and smelly, and you’ll probably want them out of the house ASAP. (I know I do!)
If you’re going to build your own coop, I personally love these plans from Etsy. They’re inexpensive and easy to follow, and we used them to build our first chicken coop, which ended up costing around $700 in total.
Or if you just want to buy a coop and be done with it, check out my list of the best chicken coops you can buy online.
![The Best Chicken Coops to Buy in 2026 [Updated]](https://i0.wp.com/camrynrabideau.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/06/1131F7BD-AC6D-4D52-A217-17D054FAA940-2050081036-e1711504469799.jpg?resize=800%2C600&ssl=1)
The Best Chicken Coops to Buy in 2026 [Updated]
The best chicken coops are spacious, well-ventilated, and secure against predators. These are the options I recommend for your backyard flock.
Keep readingIt’s more expensive to buy a premade coop, but the convenience is worth it if you don’t have the tools necessary to build one. Just be sure to double-check that the coop is large enough for all your birds, as the “maximum capacity” is frequently overstated.
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This post may contain affiliate links. If you purchase an item through one of my product links, I may earn a small commission from the retailer, which helps me keep creating content.
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