Getting some chicks...

[SkyT]

We currently have 6 hens (2 years old almost, EE, Black Australorp, Buff Orp, Silver Laced Wyandotte (2) and a Barnevelder). I can either order some new chicks online, or I can get what I want (mostly) via a local feed shop, BUT if I want to get the Blue Australorp, cream legbar and cuckoo maran, the blue australorp will be a full week older than the others, am I over thinking this or is this going to potentially cause problems w/ a week age difference? Thanks!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

will be a full week older than the others, am I over thinking this or is this going to potentially cause problems w/ a week age difference? Thanks!

1 week apart is easily doable under artificial brooder conditions.. as long as all the chicks are strong and able to move when they get stepped on or bumped by others. Pecking order starts kicking in around 3 weeks of age and adding new comers becomes a bit more challenging any farther apart than that.

I wouldn't want a lone chick while it was waiting on it's friends for a whole week, so I'd get two. Or reserve that one for pick up along with the latecomers if allowed by the LFS.. I really appreciate having options!

Best wishes with your new babies!

 

[3DFowlFarm]

We currently have 6 hens (2 years old almost, EE, Black Australorp, Buff Orp, Silver Laced Wyandotte (2) and a Barnevelder). I can either order some new chicks online, or I can get what I want (mostly) via a local feed shop, BUT if I want to get the Blue Australorp, cream legbar and cuckoo maran, the blue australorp will be a full week older than the others, am I over thinking this or is this going to potentially cause problems w/ a week age difference? Thanks!

Last year I did a group of 4 and 4 that were 10 days apart. They really had no issues and thrived together very well.