Maine

[enggass]

I would think you want them on starter for at least the first 8 weeks...
How long do you keep them in the transition pen before moving them into the main pen - how/when do you integrate them with your older birds?

 

[Gordonhillfarm]

8-12 weeks is how i always do it my smaller bantam breeds I keep on medicated 12 wks the lg fowl I put on grow cal @ 8 wks . everyone is different I really think 8 wks at least gives them a decent start ~~~ Tammy

 

[Speed]

Quote:

How old are the chicks? I'm glad the poor loner made it!!!

They are all 6 weeks old, uninsulated coop, only heat is the windows. it gets about 35- 40 degrees at night. I let them out to play during the day, even yesterday with all that wind they were out playing.

 

[lovesgliders]

Enggass I'd LOVE to take a pullet or two, maybe a rooster as well, off your hands. I am within yelling distance of you (Vinalhaven Island)... excited to see someone so close!

My e-mail is [email protected] if you could keep me updated on what you have available and prices I would REALLY appreciate it.

 

[Coldweatherbirds]

Quote:
This is my first time integrating chicks into an established flock. My big coop is crumbling. My husband and I are currently building (design stage) a new coop. When the new coop is done, my 12 adult layers will go in there and the 18 chicks will go into the old coop. Mid-summer I think my garden will be well enough established to let them free-range again occasionally. I'm hoping that the two groups will free range together for a few days and then I'll start moving them all into the new coop so I can tear down the old one.

That is how I've integrated new adult birds in the past. Separate sleeping areas. Let them free range together for a bit during the days, but keep them in separate areas when they are shut up. I've never had a problem. They seem to settle their differences in the yard where the lower ones can get away and learn their place in the flock. Once it's settled they seem to be ok. Wish me luck!

 

[enggass]

That's my plan more or less. I am going to put the newbies in a small 3'x4' coop/old brooder with their run area adjacent to the older birds but separate. Meanwhile I am building a second coop for the newbies. Once built I plan to do like you and let them free range a bit together, then eventually connect both runs and give all access to both coops.. They should be about 16 weeks old by then... Mid July.
THANKS.
Steve

 

[Widget]

Just thought I would ask since I know I can't be the only one who wants some poults. Does anyone want to go in with me on an order of Midget White Turkey poults? I had a pair but the hen was taken by a bobcat a few weeks ago. I also had 16 eggs in the incubator but only two hatched. The two poults were doing fine until the lab I am fostering somehow managed to knock over the brooder.

This is the second year that I have tried my luck with the MW. Last year no luck with hatching eggs due to a malfunctioning incubator. The MW aren't common around here but I really don't need or want larger turkeys. Granted I do have a bourbon red pair (about five months old now) but considering how big my MW tom is I don't think I really want to raise BR.

I would get them in ASAP from Ideal since their minimum poult order is only 10 compared to the 15 other hatcheries want. And I have had good luck with the three orders from Ideal I've placed in the past three years.

 

[hoppy]

Quote:
there was a women that had midget white poults at the augusta swap last yr, if you want, I have her contact info, she's in clinton. just pm me.

 

[Widget]

I believe I bought my MW pair from her earlier this year. I don't think she had any others. At least I didn't see any we talked for a good hour about her animals. I really wish the bobcat had gone elsewhere for dinner. I really liked that hen.

 

[JenEric Farms]

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