New chicks from local feed store days old and 8.5 week olds

[Kad123]

So, I purchased four new chicks from Kahoots today… I still have my 8.5 weekers inside… or, I did… do I need to keep the older ones outside, so, the new hatches are quarantined? I was going to clean the crate that they are in and keep them inside for the night, but it occurred to me that maybe they need to just stay outside tonight? The low is 45 degrees.

I have 13 week olds in quarantine in the garage! Hahaha

 

[AGeese]

I'd say it's a safe bet to keep them separate, as to whether or not you should keep them in or out we're going to need a lot more detail.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Yes.

1. Why are the 13-week olds in quarantine, are they a recent purchase?

2. The new hatches do not need to be quarantined if they came from a hatchery, they just need to be protected from the elements, that is kept warm until their feathers come in at 5 or 6 weeks.

3. The 8-week olds can go outside and join your existing flock if you have one. Have you been working on integrating them? Unless it's bitter cold they should not need heat, they can huddle together to keep warm. Where on this blue planet are you located? 45 degrees is not too cold for fully feathered chicks, they should be fine.

 

[Kad123]

I'd say it's a safe bet to keep them separate, as to whether or not you should keep them in or out we're going to need a lot more detail.

 

[Kad123]

What exactly do you need? Honest question. Here’s what I can give you, but let me know if you need more.
I ended up moving them to the opposite end of that room. I’m hoping it’s going to be okay. I was worried about the lower temperature and the fact that I was not going to surprise my 4 hens with them.

I hatched them. They’re 8.5 weeks. The low temperature is 45-39 degrees this week.

I have 4, 16 week old hens in the coop and run outside right now, that I also hatched. All are from the same local lady.

There are 7 of them now, but I am dropping off 3 that are currently starting to crow before I move them outside for more than just daytime.

They cannot be free range where I live, due to local laws.

Again, let me know if there’s anything else. That’s the best I could come up with off the cuff.

 

[Kad123]

Yes.

1. Why are the 13-week olds in quarantine, are they a recent purchase?

2. The new hatches do not need to be quarantined if they came from a hatchery, they just need to be protected from the elements, that is kept warm until their feathers come in at 5 or 6 weeks.

3. The 8-week olds can go outside and join your existing flock if you have one. Have you been working on integrating them? Unless it's bitter cold they should not need heat, they can huddle together to keep warm. Where on this blue planet are you located? 45 degrees is not too cold for fully feathered chicks, they should be fine.

13 weeks are a recent purchase, which is why I cannot put them in the garage.
I do have 4 hens outside. I just started working on integrating them yesterday actually. I hatched the hens outside and the 8.5 week old.
Okay. If the 4 chicks do not need to be quarantined, then, I will go ahead and keep doing what I started yesterday. The 8.5 week olds are much smaller than my hens, and I don’t want to piss them off. I’ll just keep putting them out next to them during the day and bringing them in at night for the next few days until they get more used to each other.

Last night, I just moved them to the opposite side of the house from the chicks, as I was unsure, and I wasn’t planning on putting them into the coop.

Thanks!

 

[AGeese]

The little ones just need protection from the other ones is all as you work on integration. Those temps are not bad for the older ones. What size is your coop and run?

 

[Kad123]

The little ones just need protection from the other ones is all as you work on integration. Those temps are not bad for the older ones. What size is your coop and run?

The run is plenty big for 15+, and we could extend it to double the size if we so desire, later. The coop will need to be updated soonish, but it’s okay for now. We only have the 4 hens outside and originally planned for 6. We had eight in it with no issues until we got rid of the roosters last week. I’m dropping off 3 roosters today that are already crowing, and I’m betting that only 1/7 from that hatch is a hen.

So, in roughly 8-10 weeks, I’ll have 11 that need to go in there, so, updates will be in order for the coop. That’s plenty of time though to get that figured out.