Late winter and early spring are magical times on the homestead. The days grow a little brighter, seed catalogs arrive like promises in the mail, and every feed store begins filling with the unmistakable chorus of peeping chicks. For many chicken keepers, this is the season when temptation strikes hardest. Adding chicks to your flock during this transitional time can be one of the most rewarding experiences in poultry keeping, but it’s also a process that requires planning, knowledge, and a bit of patience. Whether you're expanding your flock for eggs, companionship, or breed variety, understanding the unique needs of young chicks in cooler weather—along with how to integrate them into your existing flock—will set you up for a successful spring season.
Bringing chicks home too early or introducing them too quickly to older birds are common mistakes among new keepers. The truth is that chicks require a specific environment, specialized nutrition, and precise timing before they can safely join your adults. With late winter lingering and spring not quite in full bloom, brooder care becomes especially important. Our blog takes a deep and enjoyable look at everything you need to know before you place that irresistible chick order, covering brooder setup, chick starter feed, handling temperature changes, and the art of gradual flock introductions.
Why Late Winter and Early Spring Are Popular Chick-Ordering Seasons
Ordering chicks in late winter or early spring aligns beautifully with a natural rhythm of the homestead. The timing gives your young birds enough weeks to grow, feather out, and become hardy before the true warmth of summer arrives. This means by the time your garden is bursting with life, your chicks will be scratching alongside your older hens, learning from them and enjoying the full foraging season. It also allows new pullets to reach peak egg-laying maturity by fall, giving you an extended and productive first laying cycle.
Another benefit of ordering chicks early is selection. Hatcheries typically offer the widest variety of breeds at this time of year. If you're daydreaming about adding Buff Orpingtons, Speckled Sussex, Silkies, or even rare breeds to your coop, early spring orders give you the highest chance of getting exactly what you want. However, early-season chicks also come with weather-related challenges, especially if you live in a region where winter tends to overstay its welcome. That’s where proper brooder care becomes essential.
Brooder Care: Creating a Warm, Safe Haven for Baby Chicks
Your brooder is the heart of chick-raising. It functions as your chicks’ nursery, warm bed, playground, and dining hall all in one. Setting up the brooder before the chicks arrive ensures a stress-free transition when they come home. The brooder must provide warmth, dryness, and protection from drafts, especially during late winter when cold air still creeps indoors.
Heat is one of the most critical elements. Newly hatched chicks cannot regulate their body temperature, so they depend entirely on their environment. The brooder should start around 95°F (35°C) for the first week, gradually decreasing by five degrees each week as they feather out. By the time they are about five or six weeks old, most chicks can tolerate room temperature—even during cooler early spring mornings.
Using a heat plate or radiant brooder rather than a heat lamp is a safer and more natural option. Heat plates mimic the warmth of a mother hen, reducing fire risk and encouraging chicks to rest in darkness, which is healthier for their development. Bedding should be soft and absorbent, like pine shavings, and the brooder should be large enough for chicks to move away from the heat source if they get too warm. Their behavior will tell you everything: huddled chicks are cold, panting chicks are hot, and evenly active chicks are just right.
Fresh, clean water and chick starter feed must be available at all times. Chicks are enthusiastic eaters, especially as they grow, and their rapid development requires constant access to nutrition. Clean bedding, a secure lid or mesh covering, and daily observation ensure your brooder remains a safe and thriving environment.
Chick Starter Feed: Building a Nutritional Foundation
Chick starter feed is formulated specifically for rapid growth and healthy development. Unlike layer feed, which contains calcium levels unsafe for young birds, chick starter offers high protein—typically around 18 to 20 percent—to support muscle, feather, and bone formation. Chicks should stay on starter feed until about eight weeks of age before transitioning gradually to grower feed.
Good nutrition in the early weeks also sets the stage for immune system strength. Many chick starter feeds come medicated or non-medicated. Medicated feed helps prevent coccidiosis, a common intestinal illness caused by a microorganism found almost everywhere chickens live. Medicated feed doesn’t function like an antibiotic; instead, it provides a mild preventative to help chicks build natural immunity. If your flock or brooder area has a history of coccidiosis or dampness, medicated feed is usually a wise choice. Non-medicated feed works well too, as long as your brooder stays extremely clean and dry, and you monitor chicks closely for early signs of illness.
Alongside feed, grit is not required for newly hatched chicks unless you're offering treats, which should be limited during the early weeks anyway. Starter feed is soft and digestible without grit. As they grow older and begin sampling small foraging materials, offering chick-sized grit supports proper digestion and nutrient absorption.
When Chicks Can Move Outdoors: Timing Matters
As early spring settles in, you’ll likely feel eager to see your chicks experience sunshine and open space for the first time. Outdoors time is important, but timing matters. Chicks need to be fully feathered—typically between five and seven weeks old—before they can safely handle outdoor temperatures, even on mild days. Feathering provides insulation and protection from drafts, wind, and moisture.
If the temperatures in your area remain cold or unpredictable, consider using a transitional outdoor brooder or supervised outdoor visits on warm afternoons. Short sessions in the sunshine help your chicks adapt, build confidence, and begin strengthening their immune systems through mild environmental exposure. Just make sure the area is predator-proof and wind-protected, and always supervise these excursions until your chicks are older.
Once nighttime temperatures consistently stay above 60°F (15°C), your chicks can begin transitioning to outdoor living full-time, assuming they have adequate shelter. Early spring weather can be tricky, so keep a close eye on forecasts and have backup heat available if temperatures unexpectedly drop.
Gradual Introductions to Adult Birds: The Art of the Slow Blend
Introducing young chicks to an existing flock is one of the most delicate parts of chicken keeping. Adult chickens can be territorial and may bully or injure young birds if introductions happen too soon or too quickly. Patience and gradual exposure are the keys to blending flocks successfully.
Start with visual introductions. This can be as simple as placing your chicks in a secure, smaller run or tractor inside the main run. This “see but don’t touch” method allows your adult birds to grow accustomed to the newcomers without direct contact. The chicks feel safe while learning flock dynamics, observing the older hens’ behaviors, and adjusting to outdoor life.
After one or two weeks of visual introductions, supervised mingling sessions can begin. Choose a neutral space, ideally with plenty of room and things to hide behind, such as branches or crates. Allow short interactions at first. Your older birds will establish pecking order, which is normal, but watch closely to ensure no chick is singled out or harmed.
Complete integration usually happens when chicks are around ten to twelve weeks old—or when they are close enough in size to avoid serious bullying. Introducing birds at night, when everyone is roosting, can help ease the transition, as chickens tend to be calmer and more accepting in the dark.
Planning for Best Results: Timing, Space, and Flock Balance
Successful chick-raising begins with thoughtful planning. Before ordering, make sure you have space in your coop for your growing flock, along with adequate roosting areas, feeders, waterers, and run space. Overcrowding leads to stress, aggression, and illness. Late winter and early spring are ideal planning windows because you can assess your coop layout before summer’s intense heat arrives.
Consider the age balance of your flock as well. Introducing chicks in early spring means they will mature just in time for late summer or early fall egg production. This keeps your flock’s laying cycles staggered, preventing all hens from aging out of high production at the same time. Diversity in breed and age also creates a healthier, more stable flock environment.
Ordering chicks earlier in the season also helps you avoid supply shortages, as hatcheries quickly become overwhelmed by demand. Planning ahead allows you to select exactly the breeds and quantities you want without compromise, which is especially important if you’re looking for friendly, cold-hardy, or specialty breeds.
Growing Your Flock with Confidence and Joy
Adding chicks to your flock during late winter or early spring is one of the most heartwarming and rewarding experiences you can enjoy as a chicken keeper. From the adorable first days in the brooder to their triumphant moment stepping into the sunshine, chicks bring energy and excitement to the homestead. With the right preparation, you’ll set your flock up for lifelong health and harmony.
Understanding their developmental needs, providing proper brooder care, offering nutritious chick starter feed, and mastering the art of gradual introductions ensures that your new additions grow into confident, thriving members of your flock. The seasonal timing works beautifully with nature’s cycles, giving your chicks the best chance to flourish—and giving you the joy of watching them become part of the vibrant life of spring.