- Feb 5, 2009
- 3,808
- 15
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Ok, I'm hoping raise chicks for the very first time this spring, and I'm trying to do some research to determine if this is something I really can/want to get myself into! I'd probably only get 3 or 4 chicks. Here are the questions:
(1) Where is the best place to get chicks? Online or local? I was thinking of getting them from a local store, mainly because if ordered online they sometimes send you extra, and I only want 3 or 4.
(2) Do chicks require vaccinations of any sort? (some sources say yes, but I really don't want to spend $100 of dollars; that's another dozen bags of chicken feed!)
(3) I've heard of something called Poly-vi-sol mentioned for giving new chicks. What is it, and its benefits?
(4) As for diseases, I've heard that if chicks under 2 or 3 months old come in contact with soil, they can get coccoidosis, is this true? Does this mean I should keep them indoors for the first 2 months? Do they still risk catching it even after reaching 2 months of age? Is there a lot I can do to prevent this disease?
(5) I was hoping to fortify my current chickens' pen a little more to keep the chicks in it when they are 2 months old until I can introduce them to the three older hens I currently have. Is this wise considering it's already been 'lived in' by other chickens?
(6) When can feed such as cracked corn and oyster shell be introduced?
(7) How long until I can introduce the chicks in with the adult hens? I was thinking around 2 1/2 to 3 months, and doing it through free ranging contact.
(8) I assume that there is no restraint on when I can introduce my chicks to DE, is this right?
I'm sorry for so many questions....and thank you in advance! Can you tell I'm nervous?
(1) Where is the best place to get chicks? Online or local? I was thinking of getting them from a local store, mainly because if ordered online they sometimes send you extra, and I only want 3 or 4.
(2) Do chicks require vaccinations of any sort? (some sources say yes, but I really don't want to spend $100 of dollars; that's another dozen bags of chicken feed!)
(3) I've heard of something called Poly-vi-sol mentioned for giving new chicks. What is it, and its benefits?
(4) As for diseases, I've heard that if chicks under 2 or 3 months old come in contact with soil, they can get coccoidosis, is this true? Does this mean I should keep them indoors for the first 2 months? Do they still risk catching it even after reaching 2 months of age? Is there a lot I can do to prevent this disease?
(5) I was hoping to fortify my current chickens' pen a little more to keep the chicks in it when they are 2 months old until I can introduce them to the three older hens I currently have. Is this wise considering it's already been 'lived in' by other chickens?
(6) When can feed such as cracked corn and oyster shell be introduced?
(7) How long until I can introduce the chicks in with the adult hens? I was thinking around 2 1/2 to 3 months, and doing it through free ranging contact.
(8) I assume that there is no restraint on when I can introduce my chicks to DE, is this right?
I'm sorry for so many questions....and thank you in advance! Can you tell I'm nervous?
