need HELP with CHICKS

[savilcr]

We have about 8 hens currently (buff, RIR, BR, Sex link etc.) and I am looking at getting about 20 chicks for around $1-3 each. I have a separate coop for the chicks but am knew to the whole raising chicks thing. Just have a few questions.

- I don’t have an incubator so I will be buying already hatched chicks, how do I know how old of chicks to purchase?
- Is it better to get all of the same breed (all RIR) or does it matter?
- What kind of shots or meds. Do they need and at what age?
- I know to feed them mash, do they need grit?
- Is it better to order them from a hatchery or a person?
- I will put a heat lamp in there but when are they old enough to not need a heat lamp/leave the coop.


Thanks so much for all the help.

 

[pdsavage]

BYC has great info here to help you.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/raising-chickens-basics.php

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Here are my answers:


Quote:

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

http://www.ithaca.edu/staff/jhenderson/chooks/chooks.html
Henderson's breed chart- also you can click on breeds above on BYC and go to the main breeds chart.

 

[savilcr]

So how old should I order?

 

[dsqard]

If you are going to order online, you will be getting "day old" chicks. I would start with them.

 

[Judy]

Understand that newly hatched chicks live off their yolks for the first 3 days, so this is when almost all birds are shopped. You can have older birds shipped but it is quite expensive. Most people find a local source if they don't want day old chicks.