Poultry & Birds · 8 min read
Chicken brooder setup: a week-by-week guide for new chicks
Everything a first brooder needs, how warm it should be each week, and when chicks are ready to move to the coop.
By WORKING ACRE Field Desk · Updated
Key takeaways
- Start at about 95°F under the heat source and drop roughly 5°F each week.
- A radiant brooder plate is safer than a heat lamp.
- Allow about 0.5 sq ft per chick at first, and 1 sq ft by week four.
/ What a brooder needs
- A draft-free box or tub with walls at least 18 in. high
- A heat source: brooder plate or heat lamp with a guard
- Chick feeder and a shallow waterer with marbles or a narrow lip
- Pine shavings or paper towels for the first few days (never slick newspaper)
- A thermometer at chick height
/ Brooder temperature by week
| Age | Temperature | What to watch |
|---|---|---|
| Week 1 | 90-95°F | Chicks spread evenly and sleep flat |
| Week 2 | 85-90°F | First feathers on the wings |
| Week 3 | 80-85°F | Chicks start leaving the heat more |
| Week 4 | 75-80°F | Raise the plate height |
| Week 5-6 | 70°F or room temperature | Mostly feathered, ready to harden off |
/ Brooder plate or heat lamp?
A heat lamp warms the air and everything around it, which is why it is a leading cause of coop and garage fires. A brooder plate works like a mother hen: chicks walk under it to warm up and step out to eat. It uses a fraction of the power and lets chicks keep a natural day and night.
/ When chicks can move to the coop
- 01Fully featheredUsually 6-8 weeks, when down is gone from the back and chest.
- 02Harden offGive short daytime visits outdoors for a week first.
- 03Check the nightsNighttime lows should stay above about 50°F for young birds without heat.
/ Seasonal flock checklist
| Season | Tasks |
|---|---|
| Spring | Deep clean coop, check for mites, order chicks, service coop door |
| Summer | Shade and extra waterers, check ventilation, collect eggs twice a day |
| Fall | Molt support with higher protein, seal gaps, set up heated waterer |
| Winter | Keep water open, add bedding, check combs for frostbite |
/ Frequently asked
How long do chicks need a brooder?+
Most chicks need heat for 5-6 weeks and stay in a brooder until they are fully feathered at 6-8 weeks.
How big should a brooder be?+
Plan about 0.5 sq ft per chick for the first two weeks and 1 sq ft per chick by week four.
Can I use a heat lamp safely?+
If you must, clamp it twice, use a guard, keep it 18 in. above the bedding and away from walls. A brooder plate is the safer choice.