How old is too old to get chickens?

[callie&co.]

Our baby chicks died so we were thinking of getting older ones from the feed store. The ones there are 5 weeks old... Is that too old? (i read that its better to get them young so they get used to being handled by people and you can get to the eggs easier)

 

[GraceAK]

I got mine at 8 months old and theyre perfectly fine. The wellie is kinda flighty, but she's a wellie, so I forgive her.

As long as you have food, they will love you.

 

[math ace]

I have 15 chicks that I got from various people at the age of 4 weeks. These chicks are friendly.
I don't regret waiting a few weeks because I didn't lose any chicks to death or illness. I feel like waiting a few weeks ensures that they are strong and healthy.

Don't wait too much longer. I got a couple of chickens at the 3 month age and they are skiddish and not as welcoming / friendly. I am sure they will come around, but it will take a little longer with them.

 

[miladachicken]

Quote:
I think that probably means they were handled by humans before hey came to you, if they hadn't, they would all be skiddish and flighty

 

[silkydragon]

i get mine at 1yr old

 

[gritsar]

Food is the way to a chicken's heart, whether an older chicken or a chick. It will probably take a little longer for the older ones to warm up to people is all.
There are people on the forum that have made pets out of cornish Xs after they've lived the first 8 weeks or so of their lives surving the rough handling of the commercial broiler houses. It can be done, but you need to identify the reason(s) your chicks died so as not to repeat mistakes; if there were any.

 

[chickenma]

the age is not a big deal but the way the bird/ animal is treated is what makes the bird reacts good or bad to people.
I have all kinds of ages and mix a lot ages too.
even if you get a young chick it can be mean. Its the birds personality and not an age thing.

 

[chickerdoodle]

Not to change the subject too much but do you know why they died? I wonder if it were something transmissible or brooder temp problems, cocci, parasites, food, predator, etc. This is a good place to get help if you need it.

As far as friendliness is concerned age can be a factor but it also depends on many other things including if they were handled much and even genetics. However, if you use the food tactic and spend quiet time holding them though they should come around.

 

[callie&co.]

My chicks were sent from Ideal during a freeze (not their fault) and I think they may have been chilled. About half of the 25 were dead when they got here and the 3 barred rocks that i kept died within 2 days. I posted for help and most of my feedback said they were chilled or had cocci (2 chicks had some bloody poop right before they died). I don't really know what cocci is but i don't have any other pets or birds they would have gotten it from and as far as treating it goes, the feed store was closed for the night and the chicks were not eating so i don't know that medicated feed would have helped. do you think you may have more insight into why my birds died? i would really appreciate it because i DON'T want to repeat any mistakes! It broke my heart when the babies died...

P.S my brooder temp was between 92 and 98 degrees. I did have to use a quartz heater and a heat lamp to keep the temp up but i don't believe the quartz heater creates a draft.

thank everyone for their help

 

[SussexInSeattle]

If you had bloody poop, you may have been defeated before the chicks ever arrived. Is your brooder well enclosed or is it made of wire around the sides? I am not getting why the heat lamp wasn't sufficient all by itself? If you had the thermometer in the general area of the lamp, it should have been enough to get the temp up if it (the heat lamp) was lowered enough into your brooder.

The entire brooder doesn't have to be 100 or 99 degrees, just enough area that all the chicks can All get near that 99 degree mark. When I have chicks in my brooder, they wander in and out of the heat range. I try not to 'cook' their food and water at that temp, so the chicks range out to eat and drink, then bring home what they've found and digest under the light. But I will say, all four sides of my brooder are solid for the new hatches.