Hatching Batch 1 Chick Update

[N F C]

04/22/24 Chick Update! 5 Weeks Old

Here is an update of my first ever batch of chicks I hatched. They are currently 5 weeks old and are growing nicely!

I believe I have 5 or 6 cockerels in the batch, which we cannot keep, so those will have to go to a new home.

I am happy with their growth, one of the cockerels are out-growing my buff orpingtons who are around a week older than them! I think he will be a big one.

My plans at the moment are to keep these chicks in the brooder until they are 8 weeks old, the earliest I can deworm them. Then I will deworm them and then put them in an enclosed area in my big chicken coop and let them get used to eachother for a week or two and then integrate them together.

Does anyone have any tips for integration of these chicks?

I've had good luck using the "look but don't touch" way of integrating. Section off a space in the coop & run where they can all see each other, but the youngsters won't get beat up by the bigs. This Learning Center article may be helpful: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/?page=4#ams-comment-218586

 

[GlicksChicks]

I've had good luck using the "look but don't touch" way of integrating. Section off a space in the coop & run where they can all see each other, but the youngsters won't get beat up by the bigs. This Learning Center article may be helpful: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/adding-to-your-flock.47756/?page=4#ams-comment-218586

Thank you! I was planning that way. I have a puppy fence that I am going to put something on top of and put it in the coop and let them see eachother through the fence.

 

[GlicksChicks]

04/29/24
The chicks are 6 weeks old today and are growing quite nicely. They enjoy eating insects and plants.

I am surprised at how well the chickens behaved when I took pictures. The ones that are laying down were the only ones that were really trouble.

So far, the white cockerel (Picture 4) is the best looking cockerel out of the batch. The best looking hen is picture 5. That is my personal opinion, do you agree?

 

[N F C]

They're all looking good!

 

[GlicksChicks]

They're all looking good!

Thank you!