Impulsive chick purchase

[MasterofNone]

So, as I said yesterday, I ordered 16 chicks that won't arrive till the last week in April. Today I went down to our local FF&C to get all my brooder needs well in advance, because I am afraid it might be hard to find by late next month. And I'd be lying if I said I wasn't just a little excited. I swear, I had zero intention of bringing home chicks today. I wasn't technically ready for them (oh my was that a scramble!)

But I really wanted some Buff Orps for my flock and couldn't get them timed right with the other day old chicks. I am never impulsive like this, but I bought 3 and then ran around putting together the brooder in what must be record time. Hopefully I get at least one pullet from the bunch - wouldn't that just be a bummer if I managed to snag all males.

Luckily, my DH is a patient, tolerant man... And he heard me lamenting the lack of Orps we were getting for the past few days. Probably not going to let me go to the feed store alone anymore tho.

I just couldn't resist temptation, and I figured if anyone could understand, it would be you guys. Now I am a little worried about how I integrate the birds together, since these 3 will be a month old when the wee babies arrive in April. Good thing our coop plan is to house way more birds than we ordered.

 

[SilverBirds]

We've all been there! Who can resist those cute little faces? What's one more chicken...

 

[The Moonshiner]

3 of these and 16 of those is never gonna work well.
If I was you I'd run down to the feed store first thing tomorrow and snag up about a dozen more.

 

[MasterofNone]

We've all been there! Who can resist those cute little faces? What's one more chicken...

I hate to admit it, but... Yup. Pretty much my thoughts exactly. I can totally see how addictive raising chickens can be already.

 

[SilverBirds]

Cursed chicken math!

 

[Poodlemum]

I’m juggling a billion brooders it feels like right now Standard size chicks are so much easier to mingle! Embrace the chicken math lol

 

[Tonyroo]

Remember not to mingle your day olds with the ones you bought. The ones that arrive in April need to be 4 weeks old before integrating with the ones you bought at the store. To keep everyone safe.

 

[luckycluk]

Remember not to mingle your day olds with the ones you bought. The ones that arrive in April need to be 4 weeks old before integrating with the ones you bought at the store. To keep everyone safe.

I am going to have the same issue. I have 8 that will be 4-5 weeks old and 6 that will be 3 days old because my shipment to feed store was DOA. I was wandering if I ran a divider down the middle off my metal feeding trough length wise letting the heat lamp point mostly at the lil ones if this might work? Any advice I would be grateful

 

[Tonyroo]

I did this with two different breeds in the brooder different ages. They were in a very large cardboard box with fencing dividing the area. Mind you it was diy. But it worked great.

Serama on one side and Swedish flower hen on the other.

 

[townchicks]

Really, buying chickens impulsively, who does that? Says the woman who went to an heirloom VEGETABLE festival and came home with 2 8wk old pullets. Yes I think you're in the right place. Welcome to the chicken crazies.