About to make my first chick purchase, would it be ok to get a hen at the same time?

[Branch Chickens]

I like your plan! I think it would be easier to just skip the hen and focus all your attention on the new chicks. No sense in stressing either the chicks or the hen out over blending two very different ages.

I'm an Aileen, too! Not a common name. It always surprises me when I see another

 

[JustAileen]

We'll, just got the message that there are 2 golden laced brahma chicks waiting for me. Here's hoping that at least one is female. I'm excited and nervous at the same time!

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

Ooh! How exciting!

 

[JustAileen]

So is there a chick 101-type thread here? I know warmth, keep them inside, marbles in the water, add ACV to the water to keep them from getting sick...what else do I need to know? How old do they need to be to go outside?

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

Well, I didn't do half of those things and my chicks were very healthy. So it sounds like you are well read. Some people take their chicks out for a short "field trip" as young as 1 week if the weather is warm and sunny. Others wait till around 3 weeks.

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

I think the main considerations are warmth, clean food and clean water, and adequate space. The first week they can be a bit fragile and will often fall asleep randomly.

 

[JustAileen]

Oh good! These are about 3 weeks old.

 

[JustAileen]

And we live in warm and sunny land, so we should be good!

 

[CrazyChickGirl]

Oh, 3 week olds will be easy! In a warm climate you could probably have them in the coop with no heat by 4 weeks or so.

 

[JustAileen]

And so it begins...I went for two and came back with 5!!!