Quarantine/baby chicks???

[EggsForIHOP]

Well, I crashed my computer last week - but I finished my little starter coop and SO have to post pics of that! Super proud and I think it turned out super cool! Anyways...to the point...

My husband told a friend at work about our chicken escapades - who then went home and ordered chicks online - and his wife flipped out on him! Told him absolutely NO GO on birds! I think she has issues with chickens...who knows...point being he asked my husband if we wanted them and I said I had to research it! So how does one go about this?

What questions do I need to ask? Is the hatchery important? I know I need to find out the expected arrival date...should I be concerned over whether they are vaccinated or not? I believe he ordered all pullets - what else is pertinent? His wife did say she would be responsible for the pick up and then drop off at our place - that's all she will do!

He wants visitation and egg rights - he comes over all the time anyways, so no big deal I think that's fair.

What do I do after they get here? I hope to have mine outside full time by then (I HOPE...don't know if it's realistic, but one can hope). I also plan to wait 2-3 weeks then start doing short outings with these ladies like mine have been getting. WHEN can I start letting them be close enough to see each other? Like side by side, but with wire walls in between? The baby coop is more of a chicken tractor really, very portable - so I was thinking if it is okay then they can be side by side when they are little - but is it OK? When are they big enough to actually be together? If it's safe I would like to happen as soon as possible - but if we are talking more than 30 days of quarantine I think it's a no go. Still need to ask how many birds he got - praying he ordered like 5 from Mypetchicken and not 25 from somewhere else!

OH! I also plan to fully sanitize the brooder - but should I? Or is it better to just thoroughly clean it out and let them acclimate to the germs from the other birds? I can't think it would be, but maybe it is...that's why I ask? I guess what should I really worry about and what should I not fret over? Someone tell me what to do! My heart says GO FOR IT...but my brain worries!

 

[Marie1234]

Go for it! When they get there you'll have the name of the hatchery, yeah, ask how many when you see your friend, clean the brooder with soap and water and set it out in the sun for a day, keep them separate for a few weeks and if all is good you should be able to house them together in a pen with wire between for a while. As far as when they can get integrated, it's kind of a size and judgement thing. When they're about the same size and watch them and use your good judgement.
Visitation yes...egg rights when he pays chick support. lol

 

[SimplySplendidSilkies]

I want some chick support!

 

[EggsForIHOP]

I know it sounds mean and is probably crazy taboo....but are there any notorious hatcheries I should be warned about? Like if he says they came from McMurray should I worry? Just don't want my babies to get sick...

ETA: Chick support! HA!

We haven't discussed it yet...but I bet the hubby will settle for a check from the bank of Budweiser every now and then and if you get my drift...those two are what we call HAM Hot *** Mess! (Can I say that if I do it like that?) I hope...That's why we say HAM

 

[robk0220]

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Good to know that I'm not the only cracked egg around here...

 

[Ridgerunner]

Is the hatchery important?

Not really. You will find that almost all of us get good service and good hatchery-quality chicks from all the major hatcheries. Some people do have problems, but if a hatchery is shipping over 100,000 chicks a week, using humans to do it, they will occasionally have a problem. Many or the problems reported on this forum are due more to the post office or the people receiving the chicks than the hatchery anyway.

should I be concerned over whether they are vaccinated or not?

The two vaccinations usually offered are Marek's and cocci. How you manage them after you get them can negate the cocci vaccination, so, yes, you need to know that. I don't know if chicks that have been vaccinated with the cocci vaccine can infect other chickens with those strains of cocci. That is a very good question that I've never seen addressed on this forum. I'd think that if hatchery chicks vaccinated for cocci had passed those cocci strains on to existing flocks, someone would have mentioned it on here. Based on that, I would not be concerned.

The Marek's vaccination is Turkey Marek's. Turkey Marek's does not prevent Chicken Marek's. It prevents the formation of the lesions that causes the damage in chickens. Chicks cannot pass Turkey Marek's on to other chickens, so you should not have any worries there. You might check out this thread for more details.

https://www.backyardchickens.com/forum/viewtopic.php?id=312716

What do I do after they get here? I hope to have mine outside full time by then (I HOPE...don't know if it's realistic, but one can hope). I also plan to wait 2-3 weeks then start doing short outings with these ladies like mine have been getting. WHEN can I start letting them be close enough to see each other? Like side by side, but with wire walls in between? The baby coop is more of a chicken tractor really, very portable - so I was thinking if it is okay then they can be side by side when they are little - but is it OK?

A few years ago, one of the big hatcheries had a problem with some of their chicks being infected with a disease. That was a few years ago and that was quickly cleared up, otherwise they would not now be in business. While I personally would not worry about hatchery chicks transmitting a disease, there is always a risk there. If there is too much age difference to try integrating them when you get them and your set-up allows it, a 30 day quarantine period is not unreasonable. If I could integrate them when I got them, I would take the chance and not be very concerned about it.

OH! I also plan to fully sanitize the brooder - but should I? Or is it better to just thoroughly clean it out and let them acclimate to the germs from the other birds? I can't think it would be, but maybe it is...that's why I ask?
I think you should sanitize it. That is a standard recommendation everywhere and just good practice. Cocci is the only thing that comes to mind that you would want to transmit to the new chicks so they can develop the immunity they need and you don't know if your old chicks have cocci or not. You can manage that by letting the new chicks eat some dirt from where you have the old chicks housed.

The only things I think you need to know is how many and when will they get there so you can prepare. Everything else can be managed once you get them. Get the paperwork that comes with them. That should tell you what breeds and what, if anything, they have been vaccinated for.

Should you do this? If you have the room and set-up to manage, I would say absolutely, go for it. Having the two groups of different age will complicate your life for a bit if you cannot immediately integrate them, which you most likely cannot, but I think the risks are extremely small. I would not hesitate.

Good luck!!

 

[MuranoFarms]

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Hey! Me too!!!! lol Actually, purchasing the chicks is the cheap part. It's all the feed and wood shavings that add up!
Exactly how much 'egg rights' does he want? This will be a loosing situation if he expects all the eggs.

 

[EggsForIHOP]

Thanks for the mental and emotional support! It's better than any chick support!

The boys called as soon as they got to work - talked to the noncustodial parent - it seems he has ordered 15 chicks from Randal Burkey (or maybe it was Burkley, couldn't hear that great - need to look it up) and he is supposed to call them Friday to find out the ship date, but he expects them in 2 - 3 weeks - hopefully plenty of time to get ready for yet another batch of babies! He said no vaccinations as he planned to go organic with them...I told him they won't be organic here - just well loved - and he seemed okay with it. Then they had to go clock in, so I am waiting for lunch time to clarify, but I believe what he told me through much static was buff orpingtons, barred rock, and amercaunas - IDK for positive though...but that's what it sounded like...it was a crazy bad connection this morning! I am waiting for him to call back on his break and give me more info...now I am curious! As it is we don't really know for sure what we have (bantams, positive on that when it comes to the tiny 6, but the big ones...not for sure...the lady said they were amercaunas....don't know tho....it's still up for debate...)

Anyways....I guess I am a little excited...nervous...but excited

 

[Ridgerunner]

It is Randall Burkey. I have not ordered from them but they are reputable. What they call Americauna are really Easter Eggers since they are multicolor and not specifically of the approved colors. I suspect you will really like the colored eggs.

I don't do organic either, just the best I can. With a lot of "organic" certifying authorities, certain vaccinations do not disqualify them from being organic. I know you said you were not going to be organic, but I'll mention this for others reading your thread. If you are going to be certified organic you need to talk to your certifying authority very early on. Different certifying authorities have different requirements. You might be surprised at what is or is not allowed.