First Flock Essentials: What to Have on Hand Before Your Chickens Arrive

Freshcoln Farms | Backyard Chicken Care Series

Bringing home your first flock of chickens is an exciting step—one that can be both joyful and overwhelming. From setting up their space to being ready for the unexpected, there’s a lot to prepare before your hens even step foot (or claw) onto your property. But with a little guidance, you’ll be ready to care for your birds with confidence and ease.

At Freshcoln Farms, we’ve welcomed many flocks over the years, and this is the guide we wish we had when we got started.

Where to Start: Chicks vs. Pullets

First, decide if you’re bringing home day-old chicks, started pullets (young hens), or full-grown adult birds. Your setup will look different depending on their age, but the goal is always the same: provide a safe, clean, and comfortable environment with proper food, clean water, and protection from predators.

If you’re raising baby chicks, you’ll need a brooder—a warm, enclosed space to keep them safe and cozy. Most people use a large plastic tote, livestock water trough, or a wooden box. The temperature needs to be about 95°F during the first week of life and can drop by 5 degrees each week as they grow. A chick-safe heat plate or a brooder lamp with a guard will do the trick. Add in soft bedding like pine shavings, a low feeder and waterer, and chick starter feed. That’s your starter setup.

If you’re starting with pullets or adult hens, you’ll need a coop ready to go. It should be draft-free, predator-proof, and dry, with enough space for the number of birds you plan to keep (about 3–4 square feet per chicken inside, plus outdoor run space). Inside, include roosting bars, nesting boxes (one for every 3–4 hens is fine), and clean bedding like straw or pine shavings.

Outside the coop, make sure they have access to fresh water, quality layer feed, and some form of grit to help them digest their food properly. If your birds aren’t on pasture, you may also want to provide crushed oyster shells for calcium to support strong eggshells.

Be Prepared: The Chicken First Aid Kit

Here’s the thing nobody tells you upfront: chickens are both hardy and fragile. One day they’re scratching away like nothing can touch them—and the next, you’ve got a hen limping, sneezing, or looking off. Having a well-stocked first aid kit on hand can turn a crisis into a manageable situation.

Over time, we’ve built a chicken emergency kit that we keep stocked year-round. At minimum, we recommend keeping electrolytes, poultry vitamins (like Nutri-Drench), and a natural aid like VetRx on hand for stress, travel recovery, or seasonal sniffles. For injuries, you’ll want Blu-Kote or an antibiotic spray, gauze, gloves, and some saline or wound rinse.

And then there are the bigger issues—like parasites and illness. For that, we keep Corid on hand to treat coccidiosis (a common issue in chicks and young birds), and Safeguard AquaSol, the only water-soluble dewormer we trust for backyard chickens (more on that in Blog Post #4).

We also recommend having a clean tote, crate, or small pen that can act as a makeshift quarantine space for any bird that’s injured, ill, or being bullied. It doesn’t have to be fancy—but having it ready can make a huge difference in your response time if something goes wrong.

What About Extras?

There are plenty of chicken accessories and gadgets on the market, but you don’t need all of them to get started. Some of our favorite “nice to haves” include a headlamp for late-night coop checks, a collection apron or egg basket for daily gathering, and a printed binder of your favorite chicken care tips and reminders.

Dust baths made with dry dirt or diatomaceous earth can also help prevent mites and lice. Probiotics, natural treats, and coop toys can add enrichment and help your birds stay happy and healthy—but they’re not essential from day one.

A Few Common First-Timer Questions

One question we hear a lot is whether to use medicated chick starter. That’s up to you. Medicated feed contains amprolium to help prevent coccidiosis, which can be common in young birds, especially in damp or dirty conditions. If you opt out, just be extra vigilant about cleanliness and know the signs to watch for.

Another common question: when will my hens start laying? Most chickens begin laying between 18–24 weeks old, depending on breed. Before that, you’ll notice their combs getting redder and more pronounced, and their behavior may shift—they’ll squat or show interest in nesting boxes. Keep offering a balanced layer feed and make sure they’re comfortable, and the eggs will come.

Final Thoughts

Raising your first flock is a learning experience, and every chicken keeper makes a few mistakes in the beginning—that’s part of the process. The good news is that with the right setup and a stocked emergency kit, you’ll be prepared to give your birds a healthy start and meet their needs with confidence.

At Freshcoln Farms, we believe that chickens should be a joy, not a stressor. Start simple. Learn as you go. And never be afraid to reach out to a fellow chicken keeper—we’re all figuring it out together.

Next Up:

In Blog Post #4, we’re diving into deworming chickens using Safeguard AquaSol—why it matters, when to do it, and how to dose it safely and effectively.

Follow along and tag us @FreshcolnFarms to share your first flock setup—we love seeing your coops and chicks thrive!