Only 3 chicks

[Kater_tot]

someone else local is ordering a bunch of chicks,from a large hatchery and kindly ordered 3 for me to add to our small flock.

Last year we had terrible luck with mailed babies from my pet chicken, but there was only 6 in a box(one survived). I’m hoping with more being ordered they won’t be as weak when they arrive.

But I’m a little concerned with only having the 3 in the brooder. We do the heating pad cave method, and depending on weather they will be in the garage or in the house. I wish I knew if one of my hens would mommy them I would toss them in with them.

Any extra considerations I should make for such a small number of babies? Should I go back and try to add more?

 

[kenzier093]

someone else local is ordering a bunch of chicks,from a large hatchery and kindly ordered 3 for me to add to our small flock.

Last year we had terrible luck with mailed babies from my pet chicken, but there was only 6 in a box(one survived). I’m hoping with more being ordered they won’t be as weak when they arrive.

But I’m a little concerned with only having the 3 in the brooder. We do the heating pad cave method, and depending on weather they will be in the garage or in the house. I wish I knew if one of my hens would mommy them I would toss them in with them.

Any extra considerations I should make for such a small number of babies? Should I go back and try to add more?

With only having 3 chicks, i would suggest keeping the space they are in small. I had a big brooder one time in my shed and instead of huddling together, they all seperated and at the time is was cold out and 2 died. But if you have them inside in the warm, they should be fine.

 

[Kater_tot]

Oh that’s smart.

Maybe I’ll go buy a smaller tote to use for the first few weeks so they are close together. That plus the heating pad should keep them toasty.

 

[Kater_tot]

And I need to order electrolytes and that nutrition stuff we didn’t have last time

 

[keesmom]

Poultry Nutri-Drench is good to have on hand.

Did you order breeds that can be picked out from the other chicks?

 

[Kater_tot]

That’s the stuff I was thinking of

We ordered white brahmas I didn’t think to ask what else was ordered

 

[Kater_tot]

Totally regretting not getting more just in case

 

[lissalischicks]

Why not use cardboard boxes and then add to them as they need more space? At least that what worked for me

 

[keesmom]

That’s the stuff I was thinking of

We ordered white brahmas I didn’t think to ask what else was ordered

Light Brahmas should be easy enough to pick out. Feathered legs, tiny comb.

There may still be time to add extras to the order unless it was placed a while ago.

 

[8 Chicks 1967]

we had just 3 girls last time. Used a cardboard box with a 125watt red brooder light. Chick starter/chick grit and a good water source they could not totally get into. Just so it's big enough for a warm and cooler side. Ours only had to ride an hour and a half however, so probably not near the stress. we kept all three and are spoiled now.

Good luck.