As February approaches, baby chicks will soon start being shipped to feed stores across the country.  When I stopped at my local feed store last week to pick up another bag of Layena, I saw the notice on the front door.  This feed store's chicks are in such high demand that they have a waiting list months in advance.

Chicks are cute, but they grow into chickens, and they're a big responsibility.  I'm going to assume you're not one of those awful people who would buy a chick as an Easter present, without a thought for its future!

Before you decide to buy chicks, you need to have a game plan in advance.  First of all, you want to choose your breed!  Do you want white eggs or brown, or possibly the pale blue or green eggs from an "Easter Egger"?  (Note that these are often labeled Araucana or Americauna, but they are virtually guaranteed to be "mutt chickens" which simply carry the blue gene.  These are known in the trade by the loose term "Easter Eggers.")  

It isn't necessary to choose birds from the same breed, since chickens will get along just fine in a mixed flock, so if you can't decide, split your order.  Last year I ended up ordering two Buff Orpingtons, one Rhode Island Red, and one Black and Gold Sex Link.  They get along fine, and I find their colors to be nicely complementary.

If these will be your first chickens, be sure to order no fewer than three.  Chickens are a flocking animal, and they need at least three in a group.  It can be difficult to introduce a stranger later, which is why I went with four to start with.

When you bring your chicks home, they will need food, water, and warmth.  A hanging or clamp lamp with a 75 or 100 watt light bulb is an excellent heat source.  If you don't have any "inquisitive" pets or children, you can raise your chicks in a cardboard box or a children's plastic wading pool.

I custom built a special brood box, which basically was the Sherman tank of baby chick homes.  I wanted it sturdy, and that's what I got!  Sadly I failed to think ahead, and realize how much water would end up seeping out the bottom from the knocked-over waterer.  Honestly if I was going to do it all over again, I would use a big plastic storage tub from Walmart with a hole cut in the top so the light could dangle in.  Cheap, lightweight, and easy to clean!

You can buy feeders and waterers at the feed store, where they will also be happy to sell you chick starter.  Buy a 50lb bag.  You won't think you could possibly use that much, but oh, you will.  

Another advantage to using a big plastic tub is that you can drill holes in the sides.  Two holes spaced closely together at the right height, plus a length of string or wire, and you have yourself a nice way to secure your feeder and waterer to the side.  Do not underestimate the ability of a baby chick to knock over the feeder!  And once the feed gets wet or trampled, it has to be thrown away.