Janepie33 Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 My daughter has fallen in love with 8 babies hatched at the school I work at. We have custody of them tonight and tomorrow. My questions is : how difficult is it to care for 1 week old chicks? I have no idea which breed they are. Said daughter would like to adopt 2 of the babies, but we can only do this if we can be sure they are girls and they won't get too big - we already have 3 in the Eglu. I think I can feel a cube coming on! Jane Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Olly Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 I don't know much about rearing chicks - someone else on here will doubtless be along shortly who knows all the ins and outs! I'm fairly sure they wouldn't be able to go in with your existing girls for another few months. However do think very carefully about what you would do if they turn out to be cockerels - you could be quite attached to them by that time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 10, 2008 Share Posted March 10, 2008 Fee is the one to ask. I know that she has said that chicks make an awful lot of mess with the dander that they shed when growing new feathers. You will have to have a plan for what to do if your chicks are boys. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Hi . I presume if you have 'custody' of them tonight and tomorrow you have them in some kind of brooder with a heat source? They need to be inside for up to 6 weeks, gradually being weaned off the heat source, and obviously need a supply of clean water in a shallow drinker, and chick crumb to eat. I think schools usually hatch breeds that can be sexed at hatch - what colour are they? They do give off a lot of dander - a fluffy dust that coats every surface. Mine are in the utility room which I damp dust every 2/3 days. I put my chicks out into a growers run (within the garage) and eglu at 3 weeks. The big ones can always see them through the mesh but aren't 'introduced' until 10-12 weeks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Janepie33 Posted March 11, 2008 Author Share Posted March 11, 2008 Thanks for the tips. They are mainly yellow, but some of them are going a bit orangy/ brown and 3 have brown stripes running down either side of their backs. I was planning to keep them inside (IF we get them!) as it is so cold at the moment. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feemcg Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Here's my brooder - this is the kind of thing you would need for up to 6 weeks (as I said mine go out at 3 weeks but their run is within the garage and they sleep in an eglu so nice and cosy). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fabergé Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 Fee - that set-up won't do all! Your Stella is getting warm! Gloria Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
welsh sarah Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 ah they are lovely fee, but a bit young to be on the hard stuff sarah Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted March 11, 2008 Share Posted March 11, 2008 And she's got them ironing too! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
