Chaos in the Backyard

Our Meat Chick Setup: What We’re Doing

They’re here! Our two-day-old meat chicks have officially arrived, 25 of them, to be exact. They hatched around the 19th and shipped shortly after, and after all the waiting, researching, and nervous anticipation, they’re finally home.

So…why did we decide to get meat chicks?

Honestly, I wanted to give it a try while teaching the boys where our food actually comes from. After doing the math and researching the process, it should also end up being cheaper than constantly paying grocery store prices for chicken. Plus, I’ll know exactly where our meat came from and how it was raised and treated.

During the waiting phase, I was SO nervous. I researched everything, feed amounts, brooder temperatures, setup ideas, growth timelines…all of it. And now here I am listening to tiny chick noises behind me with the occasional little “zoomy” from one running laps around the brooder.

They’re honestly hilarious and the boys love them. My little just keeps saying “they’re freakin’ adorable!”.

Our Setup Before the Chicks Arrived

Since they’re only supposed to stay indoors for about two to three weeks (depending on outdoor temperatures), we decided to keep the setup simple.

Right now, they’re living in a large brooder made from four cardboard boxes that I cut apart and taped back together into one giant 66” x 66” square. I lined the bottom with trash bags to help waterproof everything before adding the bedding.

I bought a heat plate from Amazon and stuck a fridge thermometer underneath it so I can monitor the temperature in real time. I’m trying very hard not to become a chick helicopter parent…but honestly, it’s probably too late for that. I check the app for the temperature as much as I check my bigs blood sugar.

For feed, I chose a simple “start-to-finish” feed so I don’t have to worry about switching feeds later or mixing old feed with new feed during transitions.

One of my favorite parts is that they’re living in the basement, honestly. I’m sure that is a right now feeling. I bet that when I come down, and they have flown the coop (well, brooder) and have pooped all over the basement, I won’t feel that way anymore, lol. But as of right now, every morning while I’m putting in miles on the treadmill or doing a strength workout, I get to hear all their little chick sounds in the background.

What We’re Feeding Them

Because the chicks received vaccines, we are using a non-medicated feed.

I chose a start-to-finish feed mostly to keep things simple and avoid constantly tracking when it’s time to switch formulas. Right now, they also have a one-gallon waterer with electrolytes added to help support them after shipping.

Based on everything I researched, and if you’ve done this differently and had success, I’d genuinely love to hear about it. They currently have 24/7 access to feed. That will only be for the first couple of weeks, though. After that, I plan to follow a feed schedule while still paying close attention to the birds themselves instead of obsessing over exact weight goals.

Daily Care Plan (What Our Routine Will Look Like)

I cannot wait for each morning’s chicken “check-in.”

Since they’re in the basement, I’m considering keeping a couple gallon jugs of water downstairs so I won’t have to keep making trips up and down the stairs every day.

My daily routine will mostly include:

• Refreshing water
• Checking feed levels
• Pulling out any obvious wet bedding
• Topping off shavings as needed
• Watching behavior closely

The biggest things I’m looking for are:

• all chicks are eating and drinking
• active movement between warm and cool areas
• happy little peeping sounds
• periods of activity followed by naps

Basically…tiny chaotic newborn energy.

Expected Timeline

I’m a total data nerd and love a good spreadsheet, so naturally I already have two spreadsheets printed and ready to go.

The current plan is a processing date around seven and a half weeks. I’ll also be tracking daytime and nighttime temperatures so I can figure out when it’s safe for them to move outdoors. I’m not overly concerned about that until around week three, but I’ll still be tracking temperatures from the very beginning.

Honestly, I think I’m most excited to watch them feather out and start changing so quickly over the next few weeks.

What I’m Nervous About (And Learning As We Go)

I’m honestly nervous about a lot of this.

Right now, I think I’ was most anxious about their first night outside. It felt weirdly similar to bringing home newborn babies. Is the heat plate going to keep them warm enough? Too warm? I definitely woke up panicked in the middle of the night checking on them.

And then there’s the bigger stuff later on:

• the chicken tractor setup and predators
• processing day
• all the things you can’t fully prepare for until you’re actually doing it

I immediately started calling them names like “Chicken Nugget” and “Chicken Cutlet” because I’m trying to emotionally prepare myself for the reality that, while they are 100% adorable and I want to just sit in the brooder letting them climb all over me…they do have a purpose.

The goal is to feed our family while teaching the boys responsibility, respect for animals, and where food actually comes from.

So come along with us on this wild little adventure. I have a feeling this is going to be equal parts rewarding, chaotic, stressful, funny, and unforgettable.