Chickens@61 Posted April 11, 2010 Share Posted April 11, 2010 have been thinking about adding to our little flock.. ideally would like two more hens but..... just looked on merrydale's website and saw they have merrydale ranger chicks available they are SO cute, and now i am thinking how lovely it would be to see some new girlies grow up from chicks.. obviously i realise we would need to keep them seperate until they are fully grown (i will need to talk other half into building some temporary accomodation) and that we won't be getting eggs from them for a while! what are your thoughts? is there anything i really need to know that i haven't considered? they were born march 3rd according to website info.. thanks in advance for any advice/opions Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 11, 2010 Share Posted April 11, 2010 They'll probably still be under a heat lamp at that age (*mentally tries to work out how old they are* ) Getting youngsters is a great way of bonding with your chooks but ideally you'd want to get them at about 12 weeks old minimum if you plan to do that Under 6-8 weeks they will be under heat/just coming off heat so you'll need inside accomodation and perhaps a heat lamp Between that age and about 12 weeks is when they are still at risk of a few problems At 12 weeks old they will be fine to live outside at this time of year You could get them younger (some people get day olds) but my chicks of the same age are still inside (shed) and under an electric hen at night so you'll need a bit of extra equipment Your plan around separate accom is good Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mollie333 Posted April 11, 2010 Share Posted April 11, 2010 Im not sure. there are lots of pros and cons of this, and Redwing has basically stated them above. sorry i cant help more. goodluck. x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Chickens@61 Posted April 11, 2010 Author Share Posted April 11, 2010 thanks for the replies so far.. we have a garage, shed and a greenhouse so some 'indoor' accomodation is a possibility.. will have a look at costs for heat lamps, is there anything you advise me to avoid? will also enquire at breeder near us about slightly older birds, thanks again! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted April 11, 2010 Share Posted April 11, 2010 Merrydale are very good and also own Regency Poultry which does equipment supplies at reasonable prices Its worth having a word with them to see what stage the chicks are at, they have an excellent reputation and should be able to offer advice on what you would need for the chicks I've just moved my chooks that overwintered in the greenhouse out as its getting too warm in there now but a garage or shed is excellent as intermediate accomodation, a small pen or rabbit cage would do if they are on heat or a rabbit hutch if they are at that inbeteween stage is fine this is my brooder/chiicken drying shed, the pen below is used for chicks and I can hang a heat lamp under there for them or use an electric hen in there Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Madchook Posted April 11, 2010 Share Posted April 11, 2010 I so want me one of them there sheds Tasha I need to get a quote from an electrician (garden is level with the top floor of our house so I don't know how they would manage it)and see if I can do that, it is fab! I think electric hens are great btw and alot easier to manage in the house than suspending lamps etc. It sounds like you have plenty of indoor options for chicks if you go that way, and provided you do your research first you don't need to be too daunted. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
