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Why so young?

Discussion in 'Raising Baby Chicks' started by m2wandc, Apr 22, 2009.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Apr 22, 2009 #1
    m2wandc

    m2wandc Chillin' With My Peeps

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    Why do hatcheries ship chicks out at a day old? Why not wait longer until they are bigger and more 'established'???

    Is it OK to ship chicks when they are 5-6 weeks old?
     
  3. Apr 22, 2009 #2
    hikerchick

    hikerchick Chillin' With My Peeps

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    I think they ship them then because they have enough yolk to last them for 2-3 days so they will be fine without food that long. Otherwise they would have to try to send baby chicks, food, and water...
     
  5. Apr 22, 2009 #3
    Year of the Rooster

    Year of the Rooster Sebright Savvy

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    Because when they are day olds they do not have to worry about feeding them as the chicks are still getting nourishment from their yolk. If the hatcheries waited a month then they would have too many birds at one time and wouldn't be able to ship as many, especially for the breeds in high demand.

    ETA: If the birds were "established" then they would be used to the environment of the hatchery. Shipping a bird, that has already settled, into a new environment will just cause more stress to the bird and lead to more problems.
     
    Last edited: Apr 22, 2009
  7. Apr 22, 2009 #4
    m2wandc

    m2wandc Chillin' With My Peeps

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    ahhhhhhhhhh thanks! [​IMG]
     
  9. Apr 22, 2009 #5
    Tiramisu

    Tiramisu Got Mutts

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    Hiker chick is right.
    They would have to give food for adults and very few birds would have to be shipped if adults too.
     

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