2019 Newbie Chat!

[Bookworm0124]

And how long was it before you got the olive eggers? My first year too so I’m trying to learn from y ou as well!

I got them within a week of getting the other birds. All 2-3 weeks old now. I also did not go to a TSC or feed store, I got them from breeders and small family farms.

 

[paneubert]

I quarantine new chicks, always. My latest group was strictly quarantined until they were 6 months old.

Quarantined from older existing flock, or quarantined from each other (groups of chicks purchased only days or weeks apart)? I think that is the key question that makes the answer differ a lot. My big reply was just for sets of chicks close in age. I agree about quarantine if it is new chicks coming into an existing adult flock.

 

[Cyprus]

Quarantined from older existing flock, or quarantined from each other (groups of chicks purchased only days or weeks apart)? I think that is the key question that makes the answer differ a lot. My big reply was just for sets of chicks close in age. I agree about quarantine if it is new chicks coming into an existing adult flock.

From older flock

 

[BelleHartChicks]

Our babies are three weeks old today! They’ve moved to a larger enclosure in the garage and are all happy and healthy. I can’t believe how fast they grow!

 

[paneubert]

Guess I can contribute my "Album Cover". This is all 10 in one photo, which is hard to obtain.

 

[flygirl1973]

This is a question that most people have a strong opinion about on both sides.

If they are truly only 1-3 day old chicks, and if they came from one of the big hatcheries, there is a very minimal risk of them coming home with a disease. The small risk that exists comes from how long they were sitting at Tractor Supply or your local feed store. People are coming in and out with dirty boots from their farm, etc.. Are they allowed to touch the chicks? Are the chicks locked in a cage where only employees can access (like most Tractor Supply stores do it)? Do they put new chicks in the same bins as the chicks that have been sitting there for the past week? Do they clean anything out regularly (probably not). The risk varies. Did all your chicks come from the same store and therefore most likely have been exposed to the same problems/diseases, simply spread over a few weeks?

My opinion is that the major diseases are not going to show up until they are older. There is no real way to quarantine baby chicks from each other in a manner that would be effective, or for a time span that would be effective in showing a problem in one batch of them. Unless you plan to keep completely separate flocks of birds forever.

Thank you so much for that comprehensive answer! You brought up good points and I had no idea people felt strongly one way or the other but it’s good to know when people may get touchy. It’s great to know so that next time if I want to get a bit different like @Bookworm0124 did, I can and not worry too much.
I also wanted to add that although I haven’t had a “bad” experience with Hoover hatchery, I would also much rather save the chicks the hassle of all that travailing (and my stress) and just drive to get them local. As of yet, I haven’t found anyone. But I also quit looking when I ordered my “ladies”. That’s how I greet them every time I go in there...

 

[flygirl1973]

View attachment 1722603 View attachment 1722604 View attachment 1722605 Our babies are three weeks old today! They’ve moved to a larger enclosure in the garage and are all happy and healthy. I can’t believe how fast they grow!

Wow! Mine should look like that in a week? They sure do grow fast! They have a lot going on, I’m jealous for my girls already! I just have a Kong dog toy for now, but they too will have to move in a week or so. We’re...still not sure what to do. Necessity is the mother of invention though right??

 

[green_thumb]

Saw someone writing in the 2018 newbie thread so I had to find the one for 2019! I’ve read through all the posts- it will be fun following along with all of you

Chicks arrive in two week! Any updates to share from you earlier posters?

 

[llombardo]

Saw someone writing in the 2018 newbie thread so I had to find the one for 2019! I’ve read through all the posts- it will be fun following along with all of you

Chicks arrive in two week! Any updates to share from you earlier posters?

Ah 2018/2019, it doesn't matter

What kind of chicks ad how many are you starting with?

 

[green_thumb]

Ah 2018/2019, it doesn't matter

But it’s so fun to follow along with a group in a similar stage as you!

I’m getting 20 to start, to hopefully be paired down to 15 (some are straight run and I only want 1 roo max). Buckeyes, Easter Eggers, golden comets, “hatchery choice”, and a barnvelder.