Buying new chicks in Florida

Rick&chickTampa

Songster
Joined
Aug 22, 2017
Messages
141
Reaction score
457
Points
156
Location
Tampa, FL
I would like to add 3 new chicks to the 4 adult birds I have. I have a few questions though. I know they will have to be kept separately for a while, how long?
I plan to buy young pullets, being in Florida where it is in the 90's during the day and upper 70's lower 80's at night do I need a heat source? if I do I remember reading about a set up with a heating pad instead of a heat lamp, would someone please point me towards that.
My plan is to use an old dog cage and wrap some netting around it to keep them on the screened in patio, any directions along those lines would be appreciated too.
 
I'm not familiar with Florida climate other than the teasing I get from in-laws that live there when they try to get me to visit. I'm assuming it is warmer than New Jersey.
How old are these pullets? If they are still peeps I think someone else could give you temperatures needed. They need to be old enough and feathered enough to handle whatever temperatures you have there. Here I start introductions at about 5 weeks but you might be able to start a bit younger.

Once my pullets are acclimated to my climate I start by putting the dog cage in the chicken run near the chickens feeding area which is under cover to prevent rain getting in their feed. I put a piece of plywood on top of the cage to keep the adults from sitting on top and pooping on them through the wire. Inside I put bedding, I hang a small feeder of start and grow in the front end right corner, and a small waterer in the left front corner sitting up on 4 bricks, 2 on top of 2, to prevent them scratching bedding into the water. At night I cover the entire cage with a tarp to prevent drafts and because they will cry until they are covered and in the dark.The pullets go inside and stay there for at least 2 weeks, longer if very small. The adults and the pullets can see each other up close, see but not touch. I give daily treats right along the edge of the cage inside and out so they are forced to eat very close together and relate the strangers to something good. After 2 or 3 weeks of this be prepared to spend a few hours in the run with them monitoring as you let the pullets out to mingle. Be prepared to return them to the cage if things go south. Expect a bit of pecking and chasing as is normal in the pecking order. Some things to have in place to keep problems at a minimum can be additional feeders and waterers in the run to prevent territorial clashes, some places for the pullets to hide but not get trapped (needs 2 ways in or out like a tunnel or firmly propped up board), distractions like hanging a cabbage or 2. If all goes well then yay! If not then pop the pullets back into the cage for another week and try again.

I'm guessing you don't have a brooder in your coop. There are ways to introduce very small chicks by building the separate brooder and run inside the coop using tiny doors so they have a way to escape. @aart or @Texas Kiki or several others can help with that.

Please ask lots of questions about anything you don't understand. My answer may not work for your set up so some pictures of coop, run, cage, pullets can always help us see where your going with this. :thumbsup
 
I would say no heat is needed at this time of year and if possible putting the wrapped fog cage inside the coop would be best.
Won't need heat.
I would like to add 3 new chicks to the 4 adult birds I have. I have a few questions though. I know they will have to be kept separately for a while, how long?
I plan to buy young pullets...
My plan is to use an old dog cage and wrap some netting around it to keep them on the screened in patio, any directions along those lines would be appreciated too.
If this proposed area is in a look-don't touch area with the existing flock then it should work out fine, else you'll want to scope out an area that fits that criteria. Your post is unclear if you're buying sex-linked pullet CHICKS, or unstarted pullets approaching adulthood. It makes a difference on how long you'll need to quarantine and keep them in the look-don't touch environment. Baby chicks have far less likelihood to introduce disease, but the day their feet hit the ground (usually between 4 to 6 weeks, you'll want to have some Corid on hand and antibiotics for the water), as this will be the first time that they'll be getting direct contact with existing pathogens in your environment. The cost of the medicine is relatively cheap; Peace of mind that you're prepared for the worst is priceless. If you go with baby chicks, just keep a real close eye on them once they've got their 'boots on the ground'; lethargy (sleepiness), lack of appetite, unusual poop, weird breathing sounds or looking as if they have a cold are all symptoms of potentially life threatening conditions for month-old to two-month-old chicks.
Anyway... back to the question at hand of 'how long?' If you're starting with day-old chicks, then by 4 to 6 weeks of age, you should be able to integrate. (I've had great success integrating at 4 weeks. I live in Panama (the country), and have weather similar to yours, hot and humid. Make sure you have places that the chicks can run to that the existing flock cannot get to, just in case one of your adult birds becomes aggressive. Put the chicks food and water in that spot so that they cannot be barred from eating and drinking. If you're starting with pullets that are approaching the age of lay (or adult hens), then a one month quarantine period in the look but don't touch environment should facilitate a smooth integration.
 
I would say no heat is needed at this time of year and if possible putting the wrapped fog cage inside the coop would be best.
That's probably true! I wasn't able to put mine inside the coop, coop is wayyyy too small. However! I am almost finished with my large walk in coop so next time around I'm ready!
 
Thank you all for your replies, that's what makes this group so great. I'm one of those think about it guys so I will be thinking about it for a while. My Red Sex Links are approaching 2 years old so I know I better start thinking about adding some new ones unless I want to start putting eggs on the grocery list. I will take all of this advice into my plans and implement them before buying any birds.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom