BlueDawnRising
Songster
So, I wanted 3 chickens and ended up with 19 (you all understand this, right?!). They are now 9 and 11 months old and laying well. They are a mixed flock from Hoovers Hatchery with Welsummers, Easter Eggers, Crested Cream Legbars, Buff and Lavender Orpingtons and 2 that I don’t know the breed. I currently have no roosters. This is my first go with chickens and so far I am loving it!
I found a hatchery 2 hours from me that I can pick up from, so whatever I add, won’t have to be shipped. They have pure lines, something I learned Hoover’s doesn’t really have, and I am excited to order for spring. I am considering ordering 55 Flowery and Welsummers as day old chicks. They offer them sexed. I am also wanting to add some Marans and Olive Eggers which they only offer straight run as day old chicks, understandably. I can order started pullets of these though, which brings me to my questions:
1.) I can order day olds, pick them up and then order started pullets of the same age, picking them up weeks later, ensuring I get pullets. If I do this, can they be put together when I bring the pullets home or do they need to be separated?
2.) I would like to try to put the day olds under a broody. How do you make sure you have a proper broody at the exact time you bring home your chicks? My Buffs seem to be broody often, sometimes difficult to break, so I feel like it might work. I have a brooder as a back up if it doesn’t work. Also, will it make it harder to integrate the started pullets when I bring them in, weeks later?
3.) Do I quarantine day olds? I would separate the broody into her own space but it would still be in the coop, not completely separate from my existing flock. If so, I realize they would have to go in the brooder instead.
4.) I assume I have to quarantine the started pullets, even though they are coming from a hatchery, right?
I am thinking to order for pick up in April for the day olds. The pullets would be the same age, just remain at the hatchery for 5ish weeks. I would appreciate thoughts/advice/cautions on any of the above! Thank you for reading!
I found a hatchery 2 hours from me that I can pick up from, so whatever I add, won’t have to be shipped. They have pure lines, something I learned Hoover’s doesn’t really have, and I am excited to order for spring. I am considering ordering 55 Flowery and Welsummers as day old chicks. They offer them sexed. I am also wanting to add some Marans and Olive Eggers which they only offer straight run as day old chicks, understandably. I can order started pullets of these though, which brings me to my questions:
1.) I can order day olds, pick them up and then order started pullets of the same age, picking them up weeks later, ensuring I get pullets. If I do this, can they be put together when I bring the pullets home or do they need to be separated?
2.) I would like to try to put the day olds under a broody. How do you make sure you have a proper broody at the exact time you bring home your chicks? My Buffs seem to be broody often, sometimes difficult to break, so I feel like it might work. I have a brooder as a back up if it doesn’t work. Also, will it make it harder to integrate the started pullets when I bring them in, weeks later?
3.) Do I quarantine day olds? I would separate the broody into her own space but it would still be in the coop, not completely separate from my existing flock. If so, I realize they would have to go in the brooder instead.
4.) I assume I have to quarantine the started pullets, even though they are coming from a hatchery, right?
I am thinking to order for pick up in April for the day olds. The pullets would be the same age, just remain at the hatchery for 5ish weeks. I would appreciate thoughts/advice/cautions on any of the above! Thank you for reading!
