Beginner's Guide to Raising Baby Chicks at Home

You guys! I knew it would happen, but I didn’t know when—or how.

And then it just sort of happened… We now have 8 baby chicks! 🐣

In this post, I’ll walk you through what happened, the products I’ve used, and the tips I’ve gathered in the first 4 weeks of raising baby chicks. If you’re planning your own flock, this guide will save you time, money, and stress.

Hatching Eggs: What I Learned

I was searching for hatching eggs around Calgary in February, but options were limited and often expensive.

• Purebred eggs were too pricey, and since you can’t sex eggs, I didn’t want to risk ending up with a dozen roosters.

• Finally, I found BYM (Backyard Mix) chickens on Kijiji. “BYM” means the flock is mixed-breed, so you get a surprise in terms of breed.

Fun fact: Some people say pointy eggs become roosters and round eggs become hens. Based on that, I think out of my 8 chicks we have 2 roosters and 6 hens, but only time will tell.

About the Incubator

I used this 12-egg incubator with an automatic turner:

• Brand: Okkobi M12

• Price: $68 on Amazon

  👉 Link: https://amzn.to/4acSQTT

It’s a good first incubator, but I noticed the temperature wasn’t accurate and humidity control was limited.

• The included water dispenser sits at 80% humidity by default, which is too high for the first 18 days of incubation.

• To fix this, I bought a hygrometer & thermometer combo ($21 on Amazon) and taped it inside the incubator to monitor conditions.

  👉 Link: https://amzn.to/4rYL4U3

The Waiting Game

This part is tough!

• You worry, overthink, and constantly check the eggs.

• The key is to focus on the essentials: brooder set-up, starter chick feed, waterer, and bedding.

That’s literally all your baby chicks need for now. Everything else comes later.

Hatching: A Magical Moment

Watching chicks hatch is incredible:

• Tiny chicks know exactly what to do.

• You can hear peeping inside the shell before they pip.

• Chicks even respond to each other—and sometimes your voice!

💡 Tip: Do not open the incubator during hatching. Humidity drops can cause serious issues.

The Brooder: First 3 Weeks

• I started with a Sterilite tote from Walmart (biggest size available).

• Lid modified with chicken wire for air circulation.

• Used a starter kit heat lamp from Princess Auto, but it became a fire hazard due to shavings.

• Switched to a Brinsea brooder radiant heater from Amazon.

Bedding: I used pine shavings—better than newspaper for day-old chicks.

The Brooder at 4 Weeks

• Upgraded to a pet playpen for more space as chicks grow.

• Easier to clean: I tuck a garbage bag underneath the side door, then refill shavings from the top opening.

Water and Feed Management

Water

• Started with a gravity-fed waterer; added rocks to prevent drowning.

• Chicks got messy quickly, so I switched to a DIY nipple waterer—clean, simple, and less maintenance.

• Chicks drink a lot, so water management is key!

Feed

• Tried trough feeders—didn’t work; chicks got stuck.

• Gravity-fed feeders worked initially, but chicks pooped in and wasted a lot of feed.

• Solved it with a bucket feeder with inserts—still some waste, but much less.

Key Takeaways from Raising 8 Baby Chicks

Hatching Eggs

• BYM eggs are affordable and fun; you get a surprise mix of breeds.

• Pointy vs. round eggs may indicate sex, but it’s not guaranteed.

Incubator Insights

• Automatic incubator is fine for beginners but monitor temperature and humidity.

Preparation & Waiting

• Set up brooder, feeder, waterer, and starter feed before eggs hatch.

• Patience is crucial; focus on essentials.

Hatching Experience

• Chicks are instinctively strong and communicate even inside the shell.

• Minimal intervention is needed; do not open incubator.

Brooder Setup

• Tote is fine for the first few weeks; upgrade to a playpen as chicks grow.

• Design for easy cleaning and ventilation.

Water & Feed

• Gravity-fed waterers and troughs often fail; a nipple waterer works best.

• Experiment with feeder types to minimize waste.

Final Thoughts

Raising baby chicks is rewarding and educational. Sharing your journey helps save time, money, and stress for fellow backyard chicken keepers!