Help with 10 week Chicks!

[chickenmad129]

Hi BYC!

At Easter i'm getting 3/4 bantams to add to my flock of 4 bantams

The run is 14m squared / 150 square foot and the house it quite large and could fit up to 10 bantams. Due to other animals and lack of space I can't let my chickens free range

so do you think I have enough room to have another 4 bantams or should I have less?

I have recently brought a new chicken ark

(http://www.jimvysearks.co.uk/chicken-arks/bantum-ark) to go at the bottom of the run because i'm getting younger chickens I want to keep them in there until POL. The chickens currently have wood chip which I disinfect every few months but I was wondering if I should put down some concrete slabs and new wood chip for the new chicks?

I'm also concerned about the chances of cocci in the flock because I did a worm count at the end of last year and there was a very small number of cocci ooysts. Therefore, i'm thinking I will give the new chicks medicated growers feed to help prevent infection, is this right?

Finally, at the moment I have 1 bantam orpington, 1 pekin, 1 barb d'anver and 1 light sussex bantam is there any other bantam breeds that you would suggest that I add to my flock?

Thank you in advance!
Ps. Sorry if your color blind

 

[Pork Pie]

Hi there,

I just searched and found this thread - it should give you an idea of the minimum size

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/18442/how-much-space-per-chicken

Its good to keep your young ones segregated from the main flock as they will get used to each other over time - its up to you, but waiting until POL may not be totally necessary. You may wish to quarantine them for some time however.

I would have thought continuing with the same flooring will work for your young ones.

Medicated feed will not prevent, but make the chances less likely by building up some immunity.

I'll leave others to suggest what breeds may be best for you.

cheers

CT

 

[chickenmad129]

Hi there,

I just searched and found this thread - it should give you an idea of the minimum size

https://www.backyardchickens.com/t/18442/how-much-space-per-chicken

Its good to keep your young ones segregated from the main flock as they will get used to each other over time - its up to you, but waiting until POL may not be totally necessary. You may wish to quarantine them for some time however.

I would have thought continuing with the same flooring will work for your young ones.

Medicated feed will not prevent, but make the chances less likely by building up some immunity.

I'll leave others to suggest what breeds may be best for you.

cheers

CT

Thank you for your help. When you say same flooring, do you mean put new wood chips in their run or not?

 

[Pork Pie]

Sorry, yeah - if it works for you with the older girls, then why not?

CT