Getting chicks but going out of town

[mamarose]

We are determined to get chicks this year, and now seems to be the time. Unfortunately, we also have to take a trip out of town for a week at the end of May (something my mother-in-law requires us to be at

). I have friends who have chickens and a bunch of new chicks who'll be out in the coop by then, and they are willing to look after our chicks for the week. I figured if our chicks were less than 6 weeks old at that point, still in the brooder not the coop, we could just take them over there to make it easier for our friends.

We are going to order chicks through our local feedstore, and the possible delivery dates are Apr 14 or Apr 28, so the chicks would be either 3-4 weeks old, or 5-6 weeks old during our trip. Any thoughts on which might work best to transport them to our friends'? Also, we have kids and they're excited to see the chicks grow, so which age would there be less changes that they'd miss?

thanks for any thoughts.

Rose

 

[teach1rusl]

Honestly, I would wait till you get back from your trip. Those first few weeks are full of bonding and they change so quickly, you would miss a lot no matter what week they were gone. Plus, because that is the times when you're handling the chicks a lot so that they trust you, I think it would really throw them for a loop.

 

[jossanne]

I'd get them so they were 5-6 weeks when you had to go out of town. That way you'll have all the fun, early days with them, and they'll be big and hardy when they go to your friend's.

 

[mamarose]

Quote:
That would make sense, but the feedstore only does orders til the middle of May. I want to get them there because then we don't have to get 25 (we only want 10), and the store also deals with any issues in shipping etc.

Sigh. I just read your last sentence again and now I don't know.

 

[mamarose]

Quote:
Thanks! I think that's what I'm leaning towards......