Getting new chicks this weekend - help!?

WillowISA

In the Brooder
8 Years
Jun 17, 2011
33
0
22
Ok, so when we got Willow (RIP baby girl) she was kind of sprung on us as a sick chick and we had no idea what we were doing. She did very well for four months, until she became sick again and didn't pull through.

I am planning on getting two chicks this weekend from here: Jerseychickens.com

I wanted two good layers of larger eggs (that are also friendly) and think I have settled on the Australorp and the Speckled Sussex. If you suggest something else let me know? Also the hens need to be small - medium sized for the area they're going to have. Don't need a 12 pound chicken running around the neighborhood just in case lol.

So my real questions are:
1. Are they good choices? If not suggestions are welcome.
2. What do I need to do?
3. I don't know how yound they will be. I'm hoping for 1-2 weeks so that they have a head start this time, would that be ok? If they're younger, I need a detailed how-to list lol.

Thanks!
big_smile.png
 
Brown or white Leghorns, get to be about 4.5 pounds, lay white eggs, nice chicken
Buff Orpington is another favorite, laying brown eggs and weighing 8 lbs.
Your Australorp will reach about 6.5 lbs, and lays brown, and does well in the winter as well
One of the best layers, is the Rhode Island Red, weighing 7.5 lbs and is known for its laying ability and also good in the winter.

A few weeks old is great if you can get what you want at that age...if not, you will be starting out with babies...there is a lot of
good info here on BYC on starting out..and we are all here to walk you through it, from feed to give, treats, identifying your breeds
and any other off the wall questions you may have, NO question is stupid when you are trying to keep an animal alive!

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=504

here is a link to posing pics...you need to post/answer 10 times before you can post...

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-Treats_Chart

here is a link to what treats to give...

http://smallfarm.about.com/od/farmanimals/a/htraisechicks.htm

here is a basic link to how to raise baby chicks...there are others here on BYC...anything you need to know is here...


I hope some of this helps...write down your questions and don't be afraid to ask...
 
We have Speckled Sussex, they are 7 weeks old and they are beautiful, they are quite sweet, yet timid... of course, not all are the same, but mine are really nice!!
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom