Have 3 babies...should we get attached? Okay, it is probably too late

[schellie69]

they are additive I started with 5 now I have 15

 

[gryeyes]

I was absolutely amazed at how different (in personality) each of my chickens were. Even as chicks. But now that they are adults, it's even more noticable. I love 'em.

For the OP (original poster), the scariest time - in worrying about mortality - is in the first few days. I ALWAYS buy the chicks in the feed store bins which look like they are the oldest. The feed store gets its deliveries from the hatcheries on Thursdays, and I go in on Saturdays, looking for those that were delivered the previous week and didn't get sold then. If they've survived a week at the feed store, they're most likely going to continue to survive.

Of course, if there's a breed which sells out fast, and there aren't any "leftovers" from the prior week, then I have to buy chicks under a week old. (Say, hatched on Tuesday, arrived at the feed store on Thursday, I see 'em on Saturday.)

I usually just buy one of any breed, and pick up at least two breeds (can't go home with just ONE chick!) but if I can't find any I don't already have - in addition to the one I want - then I will buy two. That's how I came home with two Welsummers, and later, two Sebrights. Oh, and in between the Welsummers and Sebrights, there were those two bantam cochins.

Addicted? No, no way. I can stop any time I want to. When will I want to? I dunno. Sometime soon, I guess. Or not.

 

[Mervin]

gryeyes

I thought it was bad when I went to the feed store alone, but Saturday I took my six-year-old along. He wanted turkey poults, a couple of Orpingtons, a few Delawares and a California White rabbit. I think I might be on to something though. When I feel the need, I can just take him along and "we" will come back with whatever. It's much harder for my wife to be mad at him.

 

[4urbanchicks]

It is probably good that we are on a city lot and restricted to 5 hens. I can only imagine what I would be like if I had unlimited room! I find I miss them during the day, when I cannot just pop down the stairs and check on them. The girls and I held them for awhile today, and they did not mind too much. They have been testing out their wings and flying from one side of the brooder to the other...good thing we put the cover on the brooder, even though they are only a week old!