I`m getting 15 baby chicks from my feed store but they only carry a few different breeds so I will order from MacMurrey the other breeds I want, is it ok to combine the two in the same brooder when they come?I will try to get them to come at the same time so they will be the same age.Also I have a established flock of ten which will be going into a new coop and run in the spring after it is built and the chicks will go into the old one untill they are big enough to put with the others.My other question is how to intergrate them so there is not much fuss,and also when I put the baby chicks in the old coop as long as I clean it real good wiht bleach and water will they be ok from any dieases,my flock has had no illnesses or mites or anything that I know off.I know a lot of questions but I want to do it right and I have had no troubles at all with my chickens I have now.I will have 35 all togather when they are all in the new coop, my new coop will be 12x12 will that be big enough for that many?And how big should the run be for that many?
Qestion about baby chicks
Hey fellow Mainah'. I'm in Lincolnville and looooove my chickens too!
Maybe I can help answer some of your chicken questions. These are just my experiences, and you would do well to listen to ALL the good folks on here and combine suggestions to adequately address your situation.
1- If your two breeds are same size i.e. both bantams or both standard size, and within days of the same age, it has been my experience that after introducing the two together, within a short while they will sort things out and be fine. Even if you mix sizes, usually they will be fine. The problem is adding chicks that are day olds with chicks that are older. There have been incidents of serious picking by the older chicks sometimes but rarely resulting in mortal injuries.
2- You shouldn't have any problems putting the chicks in where the older birds were, providing you clean all the old litter out and sanitize the feeders and waterers. Sometimes even when you think your birds are disease free, there can be something that will affect the younger ones. There WILL be fuss when you integrate. Just watch for anyone that is getting the brunt of it, and give them someplace to hide where the big birds can't get at them if the little ones need a break. But the pecking order will establish itself fairly quickly.
3- 144 s.f. that you are building your coop should be sufficient for 35 birds. Most experts recommend at least 3 s.f. per bird in confined living arrangements, but with an outdoor run you are AOK. Your run should probably be the same size as your coop, but keep in mind that 35 birds will devastate any vegetation that is currently there. If you wanted to keep the outdoor run vegetated, you would need to make it very large, maybe 3x that size would be a good start.
GOOD LUCK
I think Maineiac advice is right on the money and you shouldn't have any problems.
Chicks coming it sounds exciting please show us pics when they get here ^_^
They will not be here untill May 3rd or 4th,so it will be awhile, it will still be cold here in northern Maine in May at night.Manieac how many chickens do you have?And how many breeds do you have?I have golden comet and black sexlinks,I have ordered 15 more golden comets and I want to order 10 americans.I also know someone that has silkies and I asked for a rooster and two hens so I can have some that will set and raise babies so in the future I won`t haave to order chicks.We have a 20x30 run now and with the 11 chickens last summer there was no vegetation left by fall.I did let them free range in the fall after my flower beds died back but they sure did a job on my mulch,I have a lot of flower beds and they hit every one of them,I have a three acre lawn with beds and have seven more that is just field.
We all think a little different, I agree with all that maineac said, with one exception. Your outside run really depends on what you have available, but If you are hoping to keep it vegetated you should have at least a thousand sq ft run for them. If you don't care about vegetation then what ever you have available will have to do. Good luck and look forward to pics of your new flock. Haystack
I have way too many chickens.
Mostly Wyandottes in a variety of colors, Gold laced, silver laced, silver pencilled, buff, Black, Blue, Columbian, Partridge, and my fav the Blue laced red (BLRW). I have Serama bantams also. I have some Ameracaunas if you want to buy some chicks from me instead of hatchery stock. They are pure white and lay jumbo green/blue eggs. I also have some started Buff Orpington hens I am selling. Take a trip south this spring....
Then there's the turkeys, the guineas, the Chukar partridge, and oh - the peacocks......
I must be nuts!!
I would add one thing... even with cleaning and sterilizing.. I'd make sure to get some yogurt for them to avoid cocci. I am feeding mine yogurt with rice or scrambled eggs.. just to get the yogurt in them and not all over the walls! LOL
Cocci can creep up on you quick...
You could also use medicated chick starter.
I will use the medicated starter because thats what the feed store recomends with their chicks.I will also try the eggs and yogurt.manieiac do you sex your chicks?I don`t want any roosters.And what would you charge for your americana chicks?I just asked my dh how far you are form us and he said about a hour and a half,you have given me something to think about.I was going to get buff orpingtons to,thats great that you have them also.I was thinking on the Wyandottes to but the reading I have done they are more aggresive than the buff orpintons and the americanas,and the golden comets are really a calm bird to.Thanks everyone for your imput.
Hi Maineiac!!! Sounds like you have an aful lot of Chickens. I wished I was a little closer, I'd come over and buy some of your chicks. I have americaunas also and I get what I would call medium green/blue eggs. I was wondering if you could explain how you get the jumbo blue/green eggs. I have enjoyed your comments and posts, and of course pic's also. Thanks Haystack
Are Americaunas and easter egg chickens the same thing and do they lay the same size egg?
Maineaic, you sound like me here.. The other day on the morning show, they said.. describe your week in 3 words.. I wrote .. TOO MANY CHICKENS!
Lovin every minute of it too..
I don't have peafowl or turkeys.. but I'm on the hunt for a goat and a couple of turkeys.
ZZ,
At what age can you give them Yougurt? and do you do this once a year? Should I do the Roo as well?
I use the medicated starter on my new chicks they are almost a month old now. Roo's age I dont know, he came to me about 2 months ago, he sings so I know he has to be atleast 6 months old.