I purchased some chicks 2 weeks ago. It turns out the chick started feed I purchased with them was recalled and I ended up losing all but 2 chicks I wanted to have a flock of between 4-6. Should I get more baby chicks now and introduce them to the 2 now or should I wait until they are older to get more chicks? I've heard that they are territorial, so not sure when to introduce the new ones. FYI - They are still in the brooder and are not living in the coop yet. I appreciate any advice. This is my first time raising chickens.
I would get them right away. Keep them separated for a day or two until the new ones are eating well, then put them together. Sorry about your loss of birds to bad feed. Any time I find a group of birds not doing well, or not eating well, I suspect the feed first.
Yes, get some more chicks asap so there won't be a wide age spread. If you can find some already a week or two old, so much the better.
I had 3 full grown mixed breed hens and one rooster given to me the end of last summer. The hens had just started laying and have done well. The Banty Splash Cochin rooster I kept just because he is so pretty. My run is 8x16, coop 8x8. I was told my arrangement would handle no more than 20 birds, so on April 4th, I bought 10 2 wk old sexlink chicks to increase my flock. I had all the chicks in one large plastic tote in my dining room, but have had to separate five in one tote and 5 in another and have had to bunge cord wire covers over the top to keep them from flying out. They will be five wks tomorrow, heads starting to feather in. Should I move them to our drafty garage? My coop is open to free access year round, I never close the ramp door. I'm wondering when I can put them outside and how the older hens and rooster will handle the new additions. Any advise?
