Getting Chicks in Spring

[Devyn Nagy]

I need info on potentially getting more chicks this spring. I've got a lot of questions, so hold on. Here goes:

• Would it be feasible to get only 2 chicks? I don't want them to be lonely or stressed out.
• How do I introduce them to my existing flock of 6 G.L. Wyandottes?
• Can I introduce them in as chicks, or do I have to wait until they're adults or at least older?
• Can they be given layer feed at a younger age or would I have to feed them separately with chick feed?
• If I were to raise them using a broody hen, would I have to get fertile eggs or could I still get chicks? How do I introduce the chicks to the mother?

If I think of any other questions I'll post it in this thread or edit this post.
Let me know what you think.

 

[Nero70002]

I’m pretty sure that layer feed would be too big for the chicks and you should probably get 3 chicks in case one dies. And depending on the chickens, you probably shouldn’t immediately put them together, as they would kill them. To introduce them you could keep them separate (like a wire fence/divider sort of thing in between) where they can look but not touch so that they can get accustomed to each other. Sorry that the answers aren’t in order.

 

[ChickensForEggs2500]

I'll do my best to answer your questions! I'll post links at the bottom of my post.

• Would it be feasible to get only 2 chicks? I don't want them to be lonely or stressed out.

I think that it would be better to get more, if you have the space. If you are using a broody hen to brood them, two would probably be fine.

• How do I introduce them to my existing flock of 6 G.L. Wyandottes?
• Can I introduce them in as chicks, or do I have to wait until they're adults or at least older?

To raise chicks, you have to have a brooder or a broody hen. Usually there is a long integration process using methods like, 'see, don't touch' and by the time they are at laying age usually sooner) they should be part of the flock. Be prepared to have a separate area to get the two groups used to each other. If you just throw them in together, the older chickens can be vicious.

• Can they be given layer feed at a younger age or would I have to feed them separately with chick feed?

When they use a brooder, they will usually be fed chick starter the entire time they are in there. You can transition the whole flock to All-Flock feed (less calcium) until the new ones start laying. Then they can all be on layer ration.

Brooder ideas > https://www.backyardchickens.com/se..._comments]=1&c[include_reviews]=1&o=relevance

Broody hens > https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/hatching-eggs-with-a-broody-hen.75254/

Basic guide to raising chicks > https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/how-to-raise-chickens.47660/

See no touch method> https://www.backyardchickens.com/ar...using-the-“see-but-don’t-touch”-method.67839/

Good luck, and I hope this helps.

 

[U_Stormcrow]

1. Pairs is minimum, and you will need to either buy from the farm store (actually, I think most farm stores are minimum 4 chicks) or order from a breeder and then split the arrivals with a friend.

2. Depending on the size of your house/run, the easiest way to integrate is to put the babies into the run in their own house, run partitioned off from the adult birds. That way they can see and be seen as they grow up, with the aim of full integration between 8 and 12 weeks.

3. I'm opposed to Layer feed for the typical small home flock for a host of reasons. Can you? Yes. Should you??? ABSOLUTELY NOT. Layer feed has a tremendous amount of calcium, and very little protein, relatively speaking. The high calcium can cause long term kidney and other organ damage to all your chicks, but particularly cockerels - and even for your pullets, the longer they are on a high calcium diet before they start to lay, the more prone they will be to early mortality related to the high calcium diet - so its more risk in Brahmas than Comets, for instance. The low protein of layer doesn't help with early development, either - and if they eat more to satisfy their cravings, support feather growth, and put on weight? you got it, more calcium their body struggles to excrete.

For the typical small backyard flock, particularly mixed age, mixed breed, or mixed species (like mine, see Sig below), I recommend an "All Flock" or "Flock Raiser" type feed in the 18-20% protein, about 1% calcium range, with free choice oyster shell on the side, so your pullets can have as much, or as little, extra calcium as needed to support their shell production needs. And you can use All Flock/Flock Raiser for hatchling chicks (crumble), its near identical to most Starter/Grower, except that its almost never medicated - none are that I can think of off the top of my head, but I hesitate to say always not medicated.

 

[cluckmecoop7]

Would it be feasible to get only 2 chicks? I don't want them to be lonely or stressed out.

In my opinion, I wouldn't. Unless you are going to have a broody hen raise them. What if one of them dies, or gets sick? Then there would be only one and it would be super duper lonely. I believe the minimum number is 4...but MAYBE you could get away with 3.

How do I introduce them to my existing flock of 6 G.L. Wyandottes?
Can I introduce them in as chicks, or do I have to wait until they're adults or at least older?

They need to be at least a couple months old. The older chickens could easily kill young chicks.

Can they be given layer feed at a younger age or would I have to feed them separately with chick feed?

They need chick feed until laying age.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You *can* get just 2 chicks, but 3 would be my recommended minimum, in case something happens to 1 you'd still have 2 left.

How you integrate depends on how you plan on brooding them, how much space you have to work with, etc. I brood outdoors and integrate early: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/

For feed, chick starter or all flock is appropriate feed. Layer is too high in calcium and generally too low in protein, plus may be too large, for chicks to eat.