Adding new chicks to already existing chicks

[risadawn]

So we just picked up 3 Giant Black Jerseys on Friday. They were about a week old then. We weren't planning on that breed but the feed store got them in, we researched them and got excited for that bird! Anyway, we were hoping to pick up either Marans or Orpingtons as well. If the feed store gets some in before the GBJ's are out of the brooder, can I add the new ones in with them or should I have a separate brooder? Thanks!

 

[CAjerseychick]

So we just picked up 3 Giant Black Jerseys on Friday. They were about a week old then. We weren't planning on that breed but the feed store got them in, we researched them and got excited for that bird! Anyway, we were hoping to pick up either Marans or Orpingtons as well. If the feed store gets some in before the GBJ's are out of the brooder, can I add the new ones in with them or should I have a separate brooder? Thanks!

Congrats on your Jersey Giants! we got ours off Craigslist and have ordered more from a Hatchery(if I had known there was a feedstore with them in driving distance I would have just gone there--- we are in SF and Grass Valley)-- any ways, we are newbies to chickens but when we got our first 6 chicks they were 3weeks old and 1 week and have dwelt peacefully together ever since (we are down to 2 of each since the dog/ cat each got one) in the brooder, actually now at 4.5 and 2.5 weeks they have been in their coop 2 nights now and seem to be adjusting fine--- I read somewhere on this forum that up to 2 weeks difference in age is acceptable, but watch for pecking/ especially since the Giants will be bigger to begin with....

 

[risadawn]

Thanks!

Yeah, I guess the feed store I got them from (Western Farm in Santa Rosa if you're ever this way) either has a schedule on what types they get or the guy that orders the chicks just gets breeds that are available. IDK. Couldn't really get a straight answer and anytime I called or was there the guy was gone or on break!

I think I'm going to have to get some kind of screen for the top of our brooder. The walls are high, but the cat is getting curious (she's old and doesn't jump) but the birds are starting to try out their wings!! Luckily they're not getting too high yet, but it might not be long!!

 

[CAjerseychick]

Yes certainly cover your brooder-- ours had a window screen over it and the dog got underneath (it was just a cardboard box with the screen on top) and got a chick out... also they can flap up a couple of feet it is surprising really-- the poor little things really are the bottom of the food chain and they are so innocent and flock to me looking for treats-- I am finding this breed quite docile and friendly... I cant wait for the new chicks we are expecting Wed /Th ( and will be attempting to integrate them to these older 4 as well)....

 

[risadawn]

DH found a screen today out by the fence that he was able to bend so that it stays snuggly on the boxes, so yeah! Though our cat is curious, she's also a scaredy cat, so when the birds try to fly and hit the side of the box she runs away! hahaha She also seems to be turning more into a humble kitty since we got the birds. She's not getting all the attention now. Just like kids, sheesh.....

And I found out our feed store is getting Buff Orpingtons on Friday! Yayy!

 

[Stephanie739]

I have two groups of chicks, 2 week and 4 weeks together, no problems at all. I am thinking I would like Jersey Giant too!

 

[CAjerseychick]

DH found a screen today out by the fence that he was able to bend so that it stays snuggly on the boxes, so yeah! Though our cat is curious, she's also a scaredy cat, so when the birds try to fly and hit the side of the box she runs away! hahaha She also seems to be turning more into a humble kitty since we got the birds. She's not getting all the attention now. Just like kids, sheesh.....

And I found out our feed store is getting Buff Orpingtons on Friday! Yayy!

Buff Orpingtons were are next choice! But we went alittle overboard with the Jersey Giants, I would love to know the differences between them.....

 

[risadawn]

Thanks Stephanie!

When I start to see a difference I'll let you know jerseychick! We had decided on Orpingtons, but then my husband saw Black Marans at the fair and wanted those. The GBJ were kind of an accident but I think they'll be a good bird. We'll see how many hens we have out of the six we'll have by the weekend and see if there's room to add Marans at any point. We're only allowed 4 chickens within city limits and no roos. The roos we'll have to find new homes for b/c we can't hide them, but we'll see if we have more than four hens, and we'll just hang on to them until someone says something! lol

 

[CAjerseychick]

Only 4 chickens really ? That seems a bit austere its not like you are in SF or anything -- I would get a bunch of chicken enthusiasts down to the next City Council meeting and petition to get that increased to AT LEAST 6-- also when we were looking at different city ordinances they matched your chicken allowance to your Lot size if that helps... (Check out Grass Valley Backyard chicken ordinances)...

 

[risadawn]

The only people that I know that are into the chickens are outside city limits so the rules don't apply.... I'm still trying to figure out if I'm within city limits or not. It's hard to tell. I know that sounds weird, but in some things it makes sense that we're inside city limits and in other things we're outside. I don't know. And we are kinda out in the country, so I'm not sure why there's a 4 bird limit.