Chick(en) Adoption

Chicken math is real, and you will love everything there is to be a chicken owner if you don't stray too far from home. Owners need to ensure their chick(en)s have two-three times a day care. Ensure you have planned care if you will be gone for the day.

What you will need for your 'day old' chick:

-A heat lamp that provides 38°C for the first two-three weeks only.

-Enough space for the chick(s) to move away or go towards the heat. 1/2" x 1/2" spacing is best. Any larger and they could get out or predators could get in.

-Shallow drinking dishes (chicks will drown if there is a deep ledge). Providing a chick waterer is best as it is designed for them and is inexpensive.

-Crushed chick starter (medicated or not). There is specific feed that chickens need at different stages of their life (age), as an owner, you need to provide the proper food during this duration. Chicks need starter, then switch to grower after three weeks, then switch to laying mesh/ration once their start laying eggs for the rest of their life. If ever in doubt, please contact your local feed store.

-wood shavings/straw with a blanket on top (for the first three weeks).

-no drafts (it is highly important that the area provided for their first three weeks is draft free or the chicks will develop respiratory issues and more).

-Constant love. Talk to them, gently handle them. Name them.

-Protection. Ensure their area is free of predators. Keep them indoors (barn, garage, shop, basement, until they are past three weeks old).

Three weeks-4 months pullets/cockerels:

It's time to broaden the horizon! Ensure that your chicks feathers have come in before fully removing the heat lamps. Before their feathers are in, they cannot self regulate their temperature. Once feathers are in (usually after three weeks), they are welcome to go to the great outdoors! Ensure their area is a MINIMUM of 3 square feet per chicken. We suggest 3 square feet minimum of indoor area per chicken and 10 square feet minimum of outdoor space per chicken. If chickens are too tight in spacing, they will brutally attack each other. Some families provide a shed with a window or automatic door with a enclosed fully fenced run. If in doubt, make it larger than you think. We have rarely heard anyone complaining their space is too large for their chickens. You can also choose to fully free range your chickens, but don't expect any nice gardens or clean tables, porches, pools, etc. They will find it, and poop on it, haha.

For this age group, they will need grower feed. They will also need perches to sleep on. We suggest a minimum of 3' - 5'(with a ramp) of 2" x 4" wood. Chickens need a flat space to rest their feet and cover their feet with their breasts. During the winter months, this also helps prevent frost bite. Some families put trays with sand under for easy clean up, tarps draped, or plywood to dry scrape. If you have nesting boxes: please block them off. They will perch in them and start a bad habit that is hard to fix at an older age. You may need to help put the chickens on their perches once every night for a week to two until they learn for themselves. Chickens will put themselves to bed before sunset in most cases, but may need your help for the last step.

4 months and older:

It's egg time!!! Time to open up the nesting boxes or mount them! For best habits, mount nesting boxes 21"-36" from the ground. As simple a a milk crate with straw works or a wooden box. Most chickens like to lay their eggs in a low lit area, so providing a curtain in front works well for this. Also, a ledge to avoid the eggs rolling out is important. We've done it all, and find the rolling nesting boxes as hands down the best investment! For one-multiple chickens, it keeps eggs clean, and the chicken away from potentially breaking and eating the egg. This is a horrible habit to break. Depending on the breed, some hens can provide pullet eggs (small sized eggs) as early as 16 weeks of age. For the coloured layers, expect 20-30 weeks. It's the BEST FEELING to find their first egg! We jump for joy every single time!

Lighting: ensure the chickens have a well lit area where the food and water is. a dimmer area for the nesting eggs area, and a natural lit area for their perches. Windows and ventilation and extremely important in set up.

We could write a book on this but it truly depends on each individuals home, city bi-laws, and spacing on their best set up. It is your responsibility to research what you are allowed to have. We do our best to sex the chicks when selling, but we cannot guarantee hens. We do not provide exchange but do offer a surrender to roosters or louder hens that may cause neighbourhood issues. Please consult for further inquiries.