Want to get my baby chicks in batches over a period of a few months...Newbie problems :)

[bamamommabear]

Hi there all! So this will be my very first venture into chickens and with my space I can accommodate about 20-30 chickens (full size), I could probably get away with more but better safe than sorry I say. However, I cannot afford to buy all the chicks I want at one time So I am thinking of doing 15-20 chicks total with 2-3 batches over 2-3 months (we are on a fixed income so I would buy a new batch around the first of the month until I got my desired number/combination of breeds). My question: Is it safer to integrate them when they are chicks? If I have 4-5 wk old chicks and bring in 1 day-1wk old baby chicks can they all go in one area together? do they need to be separated? Are the rules/guidelines the same as with integrating pullets with older hens? I was planning on doing my brooder inside and I will not be able to do so (i dont think) if I have to separate them at least not for long. Thanks in advance for your wisdom! (and the reason I'm not waiting until I have the finances to buy them all at once is because I'm eager to get them but also would like to be able to pick and choose the breeds I want and get some laying asap. since I plan on buying them all from the same farm but at around the same age - for cost reasons - i would be buying chicks aged 1wk or less every 4 wks or so)

 

[Odelia]

No I would not put day old chicks and 5 week old chicks in one brooder. The size difference is huge. You can usually get away with about a 2-2.5 week age difference, but I would not go more than that. The good news is as we are getting into warmer weather you should be able to put your chicks out in the coop at about 6 weeks of age. I would just wait the extra week empty out (and clean) the brooder. Then get your next set of chicks. I am wondering why so large of a flock? Do you plan on selling eggs, or do you have a very large family to feed? I ask because as much as I love having my chickens I am happy to have someone who buys the extra eggs. It helps to cover the cost of feed which with my 10 birds can feel quite expensive at times. I would suggest considering not getting all of the birds you want this year. If you get 5-10 each year you naturally keep young layers in your flock helping to keep a good supply of eggs. Also you might think you are going to love a breed only to find you don't. It is nice being able to choose new breeds and see what you like as you gain experience. Hope that helps.

 

[bamamommabear]

No I would not put day old chicks and 5 week old chicks in one brooder. The size difference is huge. You can usually get away with about a 2-2.5 week age difference, but I would not go more than that. The good news is as we are getting into warmer weather you should be able to put your chicks out in the coop at about 6 weeks of age. I would just wait the extra week empty out (and clean) the brooder. Then get your next set of chicks. I am wondering why so large of a flock? Do you plan on selling eggs, or do you have a very large family to feed? I ask because as much as I love having my chickens I am happy to have someone who buys the extra eggs. It helps to cover the cost of feed which with my 10 birds can feel quite expensive at times. I would suggest considering not getting all of the birds you want this year. If you get 5-10 each year you naturally keep young layers in your flock helping to keep a good supply of eggs. Also you might think you are going to love a breed only to find you don't. It is nice being able to choose new breeds and see what you like as you gain experience. Hope that helps.

Thanks! Yes, I was hoping to sell eggs and was considering getting some of the EEs or true Ameraucaunas because although I live in a rural area, I don't know of anyone local selling fresh eggs and I know for sure there are not any blue or green ones around. I also wanted to get some RIR or maybe Welsummers and a couple Silkies just because I think they are adorable and for their broodiness (for next spring and hatching our own chickies). There is a local place that sells where I can buy most of them sexed and also choose to buy roosters ( I want one or 2 for protection & breeding) and the silkies only come as SR or cockrels from this place. SO it was a way for me to get everything I wanted all at once lol. I plan on letting them free range (we have an acre) and also fermenting the feed we do give them to make it more nutritious and last longer and also sprouting seed for feed supplemental purposes as well. but maybe I should just start with 1 or 2 of each kind I want LOL I think the chicken math is already running rampant thru me

 

[Odelia]

If you want pretty eggs to sell I would definitely recommend both Ameraucana's/EE's and Welsummers. My sister has a Welsummer and she is not only a beautiful bird, but lays the prettiest dark brown eggs. Silkies are great for brooding young. A silkie rooster isn't going to offer much protection for your flock. With the number of chickens you are planning on you will most likely end up with a rooster. If you were going to pick a rooster I would go with a Welsummer.

 

[bamamommabear]

I just meant I am going to want a rooster or 2 in general, I kinda figured that the silkie rooster wouldn't be the best bet. Maybe I could just get 1 kind of rooster so I know what the breed mix is for sure. IDK, I haven't worried about the rooster part as much bc I know they are often easier to get for a lot cheaper and I'm not sure which breed I would be most interested in breeding true. Maybe the ameraucauna. hmmm something to think about.

 

[Mrs. K]

I think that if you are a newbie, you are setting yourself up for wrecks. I would recommend starting much slower with say a dozen for this year. You mentioned that you are on a fixed income, and you could lose the whole works to a predator. It sucks when you lose birds to a predator, but it really sucks if you lose a lot of birds, been there.

No matter how well you think your set up is predator proof, it is best if you test it a while with just a small flock.

As for getting multiple batches, you are going to be feeding non- productive birds for a long period of time. Each time you add a batch, it will add 5 months of feed before getting eggs. You will be hitting winter full blown when your last batch gets near the 5 month mark, and the dark days of winter might keep them from laying until January.

I think you will be more successful, and least expensive if you start small and add birds as the years go by. That will keep your flock young, they won't all turn 3 years old in one year, and that will keep your egg laying more successful and consistent.

Experience is a great teacher, and hopefully you will enjoy this hobby for years to come, you don't have to do it all at once.

Mrs K

 

[ShadyHillFarm]

I think that if you are a newbie, you are setting yourself up for wrecks. I would recommend starting much slower with say a dozen for this year. You mentioned that you are on a fixed income, and you could lose the whole works to a predator. It sucks when you lose birds to a predator, but it really sucks if you lose a lot of birds, been there.

No matter how well you think your set up is predator proof, it is best if you test it a while with just a small flock.

As for getting multiple batches, you are going to be feeding non- productive birds for a long period of time. Each time you add a batch, it will add 5 months of feed before getting eggs. You will be hitting winter full blown when your last batch gets near the 5 month mark, and the dark days of winter might keep them from laying until January.

I think you will be more successful, and least expensive if you start small and add birds as the years go by. That will keep your flock young, they won't all turn 3 years old in one year, and that will keep your egg laying more successful and consistent.

Experience is a great teacher, and hopefully you will enjoy this hobby for years to come, you don't have to do it all at once.

Mrs K

I totally agree with this.

 

[donrae]

I think that if you are a newbie, you are setting yourself up for wrecks. I would recommend starting much slower with say a dozen for this year. You mentioned that you are on a fixed income, and you could lose the whole works to a predator. It sucks when you lose birds to a predator, but it really sucks if you lose a lot of birds, been there.

No matter how well you think your set up is predator proof, it is best if you test it a while with just a small flock.

As for getting multiple batches, you are going to be feeding non- productive birds for a long period of time. Each time you add a batch, it will add 5 months of feed before getting eggs. You will be hitting winter full blown when your last batch gets near the 5 month mark, and the dark days of winter might keep them from laying until January.

I think you will be more successful, and least expensive if you start small and add birds as the years go by. That will keep your flock young, they won't all turn 3 years old in one year, and that will keep your egg laying more successful and consistent.

Experience is a great teacher, and hopefully you will enjoy this hobby for years to come, you don't have to do it all at once.

Mrs K

I also second this.

If you're concerned about purchase price, you've got to factor in cost of feeding 30 non productive birds. Then, feeding 30 producing birds over the winter, when there's not much to eat free ranging. Predators add a whole new level to the game, too. Plus, as mentioned, this will have your entire flock aging out at the same time. Your birds will all take a break from laying say winter 2015, and you won't have room to bring in new layers.

Plan on a dozen or so this year. Then the same next year, and decide if you're going to keep less productive birds. By then you'll know how much you're spending on feed, what your predator situation is, things like that.

 

[Folly's place]

I agree completely! The cost of the chicks is the smallest part of your total cost, so start with fewer birds, and gain experience. Feed: 2.5 to 3.0 lbs per lb. of gain, x12 birds, at least. So 10 birds weighing 5 lbs. each is about 130 to 150 lbs of feed, just to get close to laying age. Plus building, equipment, electricity, bedding.... Never mind labor (free?) and good fencing. I love having chickens, but as an income-generating operation, it's hard. Start small! Mary