So, I presently have 25 (minimum order) chicks in a brooder in the garage. My plan, since I really won't have room for 25 chickens, is to go ahead and raise the 25 until spring, then sell off about half of them, once they are laying. (I won't mind terribly if I have a roo in the mix). I presently have 9 Gold Laced Wyandottes, 8 Ameracaunas and 8 Welsummers. So, I figure I'll take them down to 10-12 come spring. At that time, I'm also going to try to add a couple of Black Copper Marans (including a roo, unless I find that I already have a pleasant tempered roo in the mix I have). So, my question becomes... do I move them all from the brooder to the coop together, let them work out their pecking order, and then disrupt it, by selling off half of them come spring, or do I go ahead and choose half to move out to the coop, and keep the other half in the brooder box in the garage through the winter? That way the only change to an established pecking order in the spring will be the integration of the Marans (if I can find them, approximately the same age/size as the ones I have)... what do you think?? (once they are large enough to be without the heat in the garage, I can turn the heat lamp off, so they'd basically be living in a large plywood box with a screened top.)
I would put them all together then sell them off come spring. You might change your mind about which ones to keep. They'll forget about who disappeared easier than accepting someone new to the flock.
Welcome to the BYC Who had a 25 chick order minimum? Wow I found I could buy as many as I wanted sexed. I think you will find a Roo in the group if not sexed. Me, I would raise them all together to make it simple and easy on you. You will find favorites and keep all your favorites and they will work out their pecking order. Mine changed a lot in the crew but my Blondie is it when it comes to pushing around all the girls. The plan is 90 degrees at 1 week 85 at 2 weeks and reduce 5 degrees each week until all the flock it fully feathered. Just be a mommy for them and everything will be fine. How about a backup light just in case? How about a couple different watt bulbs 100, 150 and 250. How about medicated chick feed? Vitamins for the water? I am sure others will mention stuff. Good luck and have a ton of fun with the babies. Post pictures.
