Step-by-Step Brooder Setup
The goal for your brooder set up is to create a warm, dry, draft-free, and easy-to-clean space so your chicks eat, drink, and rest without risk.
Pick the Location
Draft-free indoor space (garage, laundry, spare room), keep the safety of the chicks in mind. Make sure they have a stable surface and will be protected from other animals.
Assemble & Sanitize
Use a purpose-built brooder, stock tank, or large tote. Clean with a mild, pet-safe cleaner and let it air-dry completely before adding chicks

Add Bedding
You want 2" of pine of pine shavings or hemp bedding (all bedding requires daily spot cleaning cleaning). Chopped straw works as well, though you’ll typically remove wet straw more frequently.
Avoid: cedar shavings (oils can irritate), cat litter/fine sawdust, and slick surfaces.

Install the Heat Source
Choose one: a heat plate or a heat lamp with a guard. Create a warm zone and a cooler zone so chicks can self-regulate.
•   Heat plates: generally lower fire risk; great indoors. Adjust height so chicks’ backs brush the plate.
•   Heat lamps: must have a guard, two secure attachment points (clamp + chain), and daily checks. Keep bedding/walls well clear. (See our previous blog on Heat Lamp Safety.)

Place a Thermometer at Chick Level
Use it as a guide, then fine tune based on behavior (see tips below).
Set Up Feeder & Waterer
Place them just outside the warmest spot to reduce spills and damp bedding. Elevate slightly as chicks grow to keep bedding out.
Power & Fire Safety
Keep cords tidy and outside the brooder. Never drape cords across the tub. Confirm heat fixtures are secure every day.

Arrival Routine
One by one, gently dip each chick’s beak in water so they learn the source. Tap the feeder to encourage eating.
Behavior Tips
Too cold: loud peeping, tight huddling under heat.
Too hot: panting, wings out, avoiding the heat source.
Just right: relaxed, spread out, eating, drinking, light peeping.

Week 1 Chick Care
Daily rhythm:
AM & PM checks: Confirm active eating/drinking, adjust heat height/distance as needed, refresh water and feed, remove wet bedding.
Hydration support: Offer electrolytes for the first 24–48 hours after arrival and anytime chicks are stressed (heat waves, transferring to a new coop, or illness). Mix fresh daily per the label; switch back to plain water once they’re thriving.
Cleanliness: Keep bedding dry; spot-clean spills immediately.
Health check: Look for pasty vent (“pasty butt”) in the first few days. If needed, clean gently with warm water, dry thoroughly, and ensure chicks are comfortably warm—not too hot.
Feeding: Provide a complete chick starter feed free choice. (Medicated starter—typically with Amprolium—adds protection when exposure to coccidiosis risk is higher. Nonmedicated is fine with excellent sanitation and dry bedding.)
Feeder/waterer height: Raise slightly as chicks grow so edges sit near back height—this helps keep bedding out and reduces mess.
Lights & rest: Heat plates provide darkness for natural rest cycles. If using a lamp, keep the brooder calm and consistent overnight; many keepers prefer red bulbs to reduce pecking and light glare.
Handling: Short, gentle sessions help tame chicks. Wash hands before/after.

Day-by-day:
Day 0: Regular filtered water, confirm all chicks find water and feed.
Day 1: Add electrolytes to the drinking water.
Day 2–3: Re-check heat setup; raise plate or adjust lamp if behavior shows too hot/cold.
Day 4–5: Elevate feeder/waterer slightly; expand space if crowding.
Day 6–7: Maintain dry bedding; keep routine consistent to reduce stress.

How to Find When Your Favorite Breeds Will Be at Your Nearest Grange
1.   Visit our Chick Info page: https://www.grangecoop.com/chicks
2.   Select your store to see estimated arrival days and featured breeds. Breeds shown in bold link to a brief info summary (egg color, approximate annual egg production, and adult appearance).
3.   Follow us on social for “just in” updates and day of changes.
4.   First come, first served: we do not offer holds. Special orders may be available—minimum 25 per breed; ask your local Grange for details.
Tip: Have 2–3 backup breeds in mind—popular varieties can sell out quickly.

Your Week 1 Shopping List    
Essentials
Brooder enclosure (tote/stock tank/purpose-built)
Heat plate or heat lamp + guard + secure chain/hanger
K&H Adjustable Thermo-Poultry Brooder - 8" X 13-1/2" X 8"
250W Hanging Brooder Lamp w/6ft cord
 250W R40 Red Heat Lamp Bulb
GE 100W Ceramic Heat Lamp

Thermometer (place at chick level)

Bedding (pine shavings or chopped straw )
Manna Pro Fresh Flakes Poultry Bedding
Standlee Flock Fresh All-Natural Bedding Mixture - 2 cu. ft.

Chick feeder
Double-Tuf Plastic Poultry Feeder - Blue

Chick waterer
  Double-Tuf Plastic Poultry Waterer - Blue

Chick starter feed (medicated or non-medicated)
  Rogue Nature's Harmony Organic Chick Starter Feed
  Rogue Quality Feed Starter-Broiler Feed

Electrolytes
Flock Pro's Chick Boost - 3 oz

Nice-to-haves:  
Spare lamp bulb, extra bedding, under brooder mat, small dustpan/brush, pet proof cover. brooder mat, small dustpan/brush, pet proof cover.