SO Excited but have an important Question!

[mckngbrd]

We are expecting our very first baby chicks in 2 1/2 weeks. We can barely breathe we are so excited, and have done a ton of research and planning.

We took an innocent trip to BLUE SEAL tday and fell in love with 2 ( Abt 2 week old?) chicks in their brooder.

What would be the ramifications of the elder two and trying to integrate them with the newbies when they come???

We REALLY don't want to make any mistakes right off the bat!

HELP and thank you!

 

[Choco Maran]

If they are 2.5 weeks now and you are getting day old in 2 weeks that put the age difference at about a month to big of a gap to safely have them in the same brooder. If you can slit the brooder that might work. The older ones may pick on the smaller ones. Older chick will not need a heat source and may be come overheated.

 

[Jensownzoo]

Depending on the weather where you are, the two week olds may be raedy to be moved outside by the time the new chicks arrive. I've been able to kick mine out around 3 weeks olf after they've grown in their feather "jackets". They've got huddle boxes and lots of company to snuggle with. 70-80s daytime temps, 50-60s evenings here (with some wild swings up/down being the Midwest).

 

[mckngbrd]

I just don't know if I'm taking on too much or not.

What is a huddle box? It will be in the 60's here from now on and dropping at night. By June it will be quite warm.

Can you acclimate them to each other right off the bat with small bursts of supervised time? Would that work? Or do I have to keep them apart till they are big..

So many questions. I think we've gone crazy waiting for these chicks to hatch. I can't believe we are even considering getting some beforehand

 

[Jensownzoo]

Huddle boxes are boxes with smallish doors that the chicks can go in and warm the space with their combined body heat. They can be made out of simple cardboard, just don't make the box or the doorway too large or they won't be able to heat it up. I have one of cardboard, one that's half of a plastic doghouse, and one that's a covered litterbox.

I find that a good time to introduce chicks is at bedtime. I always like to make sure everyone has a full crop before the lights go out/sunset so I put a scoop of feed or sprinkle treats over leftover feed. All the resident chicks are busy eating and I put the newcomers in with them. There's not really enough time to get picked on...I make sure after dark that everyone has found a warm place to bed down. Haven't really had many issues.