Need help with first purchase???

[bjolley]

Hi

I am new to the forum and am looking at ordering some chicks here shortly.
I am looking at a few different breeds and was wondering if that is a pain to get them
From a hatchery at the same time? Is it a bad idea to get different breeds as far as them
All getting along with one another?

Thanks

 

[Erica]

Hi bjolley, breed isn't generally a problem, but age can be. As long as they've been hatched at roughly the same time they should be fine.
I'd stick with one source though -- it's too easy to bring in a disease if you buy from different places at the same time, then put them all together.
Just my feeling anyway.

 

[chicken995]

Can't tell you about the hatchery, as I've never ordered from one. I get mine from a few local feed stores. I currently have 7 chicks in my brooder. 6 different breeds. Silver Laced Wyandotte, California White, Black Silkie, White Silkie, Black Australorp, Barred Rock, and Black Star. They all get along great.

 

[crazygoatlady915]

Hello!
Breeds aren't an issue, as far as i'm concerned, (My brooder: 2 easter eggers, 5 rhodes, 5 barred rocks, a mystery pullet, a silkie, and a polish). And I would suggest getting them the same time, i learned that when i introduced 2 two-week-olds in with 10 babies, it was like david and goliath!

 

[AlienChick]

You can also check your local feed stores to see if they've got baby chicks.

Craigslist is another source.

And there's a section on this forum for selling poultry.

You can mix and match; just keep the ages (size) at around the same.

I currently have
(3) Barred rocks
(1) Rhode Island Red
(6) Australorps
(3) Easter Eggers
(3) Silkies
(3) Mille Fleur d'Uccles
(4) Polishs

I bought them at various times, so I had to make sure the sizes were about the same since some were older than others.

Good Luck and