Should we hatch or buy baby chicks?

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OklahomaJamie

OklahomaJamie

In the Brooder
12 Years
May 10, 2007
28
0
22
Rural Oklahoma
Of course, I don't have an incubator, but since the chicks will be our pets, should I get one and hatch chicks, or if I buy chicks, will they still grow attached to us and be good tame pets. I know that the first thing a newly hatched chick sees will always be momma (I hatched several in our shed on a mattress covered in blankets as a child and I was momma to them).

I'd prefer to buy already hatched chicks, but still want them to be tame.

Thanks!
Jamie
 
I don't think that you will have a problem taming them if you get them as chicks. I do think I would get them as young as possible though. Hope it works out for you.
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If you are new to chickens, I would say, buy chicks. The manner of hatching isn't much of a factor.

One of the main considerations is breed, if you want a tame flock. Many breeds are known to be flighty, and many are known to be friendly and docile. You can use this chart to read about the different breeds:

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html

I have used this chart so much, I think I know it by heart. This chart and BYC have guided me toward much better breed choices in my mixed flock.

Good luck in your adventure!
 
Five of mine were day olds, and four were week olds, and they are still attached to me. They are 7 and 8 weeks now, and come when I call them. One of them loves to sit on my shoulder and lord it over the other ones! They eat out of my hand and follow me around when I am outside.
 
I like hatching my own chicks, but I always used to get day-olds. If you spend time with any of them, they'll get nice and tame.....certain breeds more than others I think.
 
After all of the money and time I have invested into just two batches of eggs (the first didn't hatch), I can say for sure that you should buy chicks if you are just seeking pets. We have a couple hatchery chicks from last year that are super sweet and tame.
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I have noticed a difference in attatchment in birds I got at 1 day, 1 week, and 2 weeks old, and while they all eventually come to me. the ones aquired at a younger age seem very affectionate versus the older ones.
So I agree with the other posts, get the youngest you can. If that is not an option don't sweat it, they may just take longer to warm up.

On hatching, it can be heartbreaking, not a good idea for a first experience.
 
You won't have any problem taming them! Up until the point you get them, they will have had nothing to associate momma with. I have purchased 30 chicks so far this year and haven't had problems with any of them. I am however, not going to purchase hatchery chicks anymore because I want my family to have the educational experience of hatching them ourselves. Check out MissPrissy's page. She has great plans on how to build an incubator! Good luck! When you get some chicks, whether buying or hatching, be sure to post some pics so we can see them!
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