Hi, I just got a RIR for a present yesterday, which is AWESOME, but I only got a single RIR chick. It is very lonely and my other chickens are way too big to keep it company. I was going to run down to the feed store and see if they had any babies to put with her. Question: Do I need to keep new baby chicks separate to make sure they are healthy like adult chickens?Or just toss them together? Do chicks ever carry diseases that my healthy chick could get? The RIR is so fuzzy and cute!!! Baby chicks are alot of work, but golly, they're worth it!!! Thanks, Lauren
They could theoretically carry diseases or be shedding virus from any vacs done at the hatchery I suppose, but you don't have a lot of choice since your poor chick will be way too lonely by 30 days from now. I'd just put them together and cross your fingers. It should probably be just fine. By the time they're old enough to join your others, they'll have fulfilled their 30 day isolation requirement from the main flock. Have fun. Be sure to get more than one more. A dozen would be a good number.
I agree with damselfish. Your chickie needs buddies. I have never had a problem with diseases in baby chicks from the feed store. Just look them over and if they look healthy take 'em home. Your RIR chick's emotional welfare and socialization needs outweigh the miniscule risk of disease. PS...I'm thinking of becoming a chicken therapist.
