Hey, I'm new here, and to chicken keeping. I'm planning to buy some light sussexs from my local small holders. You can buy chickens that are 'off heat'. How old would those chickens be? And also as a first time chicken keeper would it be too much of a challenge to get chicks that are one day old and still need heat? Thank you
People do it all the time. Its all in the preparation. Nothing about chickens is gonna be carefree, if you've never done it. But little about them is hard. Plan ahead FIRST and then go for it.
Off heat means they are old enough to be fully feathered and not need a heat lamp. Typically that is somewhere around 8 wks of age, although if it was really cool at night, I'd still give them a heat lamp at night until 10-12 weeks. As far as day olds - my first ever chickens were day olds. It's not a big deal to raise them from day olds. You just need a brooder of some kind (a plastic storage tote works well, with the lid modified to have a large opening of chicken wire or hardware cloth), a heat lamp (walmart), and clean water and chick starter feed. Use PINE shavings for litter - NOT cedar. The first week I cover the pine shavings with a layer of paper towels to help them keep their footing. The first week, the temps should be 90-95. Position the light at one end of the brooder so the chicks can get away from the heat if they get too hot. Then raise the light to make the temp drop 5 degrees each week until they are 5-6 weeks old. Or you can alter the temps by switching to a lower wattage light bulb. If you click on the 'information center' at the top there is good information about raising chicks of any age. Theres also a great booklet you can print off at www.mypetchicken.com Whatever you decide to do, have fun with them!! Chickens are the best!
I like having the day olds so you can bond with them better. They really aren't that much toruble....in fact, while they are tiny and under a heat lamp is the easiest stage of their lives, to me. Mine stay in the house from 2 to 3 weeks and then move to "the big house" with the other chickens. I have a different brooder to use in the coop than the one I use in the house.