Getting Chicks in April

[ChickenGirl555]

Sometime in April I’m going to get 2-3 polish chicks from my local mill. I want them to be raised by a broody or at least taken care of by one of my chickens so they don’t freeze since Wisconsin weather is so unpredictable. I don’t think I’ll get a broody soon enough if at all since Polish are really only available in spring by me. I’m wondering that if I put the chicks in with the pullets (with some supervision) will the pullets possibly ‘adopt’ them? They won’t have big fluffy heads because polish chicks just have the ball of fluff on their heads, so hopefully the pullets won’t notice until they are integrated/accepted.

So if you didn’t understand what I’m asking, I want to know if one or more of my pullets will take care of the chicks. ‘Adopt’ them.

 

[SueT]

No, they won't adopt them, they will likely attack them. Raise them yourself indoors with a heat source, and integrate them gradually when they are fully feathered.

 

[aart]

No, they won't adopt them....you should know that with the integration issues you already had in the last few months.
Tho integrating young chicks can be much easier,
they still need a heat source and a separate but adjacent space,
but I don't think you have the space in your coop to do that.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

I don't think you have the space in your coop to do that.

Oh yes, about space, I have decided to give the two 'oddballs' that I integrated to the same petting farm I got them from. The chicks just aren't happy and I hate seeing them sad. But they were these two chicks who were unrelated and poked and picked up by little kids when they were less than two weeks old. I would be unhappy if I were them. So what I'm saying is I'm going to free up space and I'm also considering making another, bigger 'summer' coop that they will have more space in but it will be less insulated. So I can use the original coop for the birds in winter since its well insulated, in winter. And they'll want to be warm and snug together.

 

[ChickenGirl555]

No, they won't adopt them....you should know that with the integration issues you already had in the last few months.
Tho integrating young chicks can be much easier,
they still need a heat source and a separate but adjacent space,
but I don't think you have the space in your coop to do that.

Thank you so much for the link! I have scrap wood and leftover chicken wire I can use to make that same design to fit my coop. Thank you so much! I just feel bad for asking too many questions!

 

[aart]

I have scrap wood and leftover chicken wire I can use to make that same design to fit my coop.

My chick area, 4x6' (plus an 8x12 run) is almost as big as your whole coop IIRC.

You need more space before you try adding birds again...or you'll end up having the same problems as your last addition.