Minkey Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 Hello, Just starting out in the chicken keeping world. I have my hen house already to go but wanted to know the following if anyone can help? 1. I want to get 4 bantums to start with, I have 2 girls who are petrified of all animals so thought smaller chickens would be a good start. I have found two 6 week old hens from one breeder, will it be OK to find 2 more from somewhere else? Should I get the same age or would POL be OK too? Not sure about introducing them to each other etc & how it all works? 2. How old are they when they start to lay? 3. Do 6 week olds need special feed or is the layers pellets OK for them? I am sure I will have more questions, but that's it for now! Thanks Minkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jellykelly Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 Hi and welcome. First question - If you were to buy two lots of chickens from different breeders I wouldn't certainly ensure that they are the same age. Introducing six week old chiocks to POL birds (generally 18 weeks +) is likely to have disasterous consequences. I would suggest, as you have nervous kids perhaps getting 4 POL bantams. they'll be a little bit calmer then a flighty, skitty chick. I can recommend pekin bantams. Very cute and very funny. I can't tell you much about the egg laying as mine have not started yet (they're 20 weeks). Question 2 - They start laying from 18-21 weeks + Question 3 - 6 week old chicks will need growers pellets. I believe they have a higher protein content then layers pellets to ensure good growth. Good luck with your new chickens! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 6 weeks old is a tad young IMO for your first girls they will need to be kept indoors for a few weeks at that age as they are too young to go outside. Foodwise I would say they would be on chickcrumb/pellets and then you would move them to growers pellets. Layers pellets are for hens about to or in lay I would advise looking for hens at Point of lay (POL) which will be about 17 weeks onwards normally A good plan would be to get a good book to read, there are a few in the omlet shop Good luck chicken keeping is addictive and highly enjoyable Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minkey Posted April 27, 2010 Author Share Posted April 27, 2010 Thanks so much for your replies - I started my search with POL bantums but can no find anywhere local to me that has them , hence the 2 chicks. If I manage o find another 2 chicks do you think they will mix OK? Many thanks, Minkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 the only trouble is that at that age they are not safe health wise they can go down hill quickly if they catch an illness and I would hate you to buy some and your children get upset if you should lose one. It is much safer to hold on to find older girls the risk would be even greater mixing two flocks IMO. Maybe post the locations you'd be willing to look in and people may be able to suggest good breeders for you to try that you hadn't thought of Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Space Chick Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 As CookieMonster has said, 6 weeks are too young for first chickens in my opinion, you'd be better off getting POL. If you can tell us where you are in the country we can help with breeders. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minkey Posted April 27, 2010 Author Share Posted April 27, 2010 I am in Suffolk (nr Ipswich). Thanks for all your help! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 ok and the breeds your looking for?? as lots of breeders only have certain breeds. list all the chickens (types on Bantams) you like and we will do our best to find some breeders with older girls for you There is Two Pot Bantams over in Cambridgeshire so not that far, he's really nice and helpfull. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 HERE!!is the omlet breeders list, have a look for a breeder near you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Falkor Posted April 27, 2010 Share Posted April 27, 2010 this is a suffolk breeder which I think Janty has used in the past Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minkey Posted April 28, 2010 Author Share Posted April 28, 2010 Thank you so much for all your help - what a great forum this is! I am looking specifically for Pekin bantums, will check out all those links, thanks. Minkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minkey Posted April 28, 2010 Author Share Posted April 28, 2010 Another question! Are "growers" the same thing as chicks? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cooks Posted April 28, 2010 Share Posted April 28, 2010 growers are any birds up to the age of POL so anything up to 17 weeks ish Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Minkey Posted April 30, 2010 Author Share Posted April 30, 2010 Just to let you know that I have managed to track down 5 pekins & pick them up next Sat - thanks for all your help & advice, I am really excited! Minkey Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scarlettohara Posted April 30, 2010 Share Posted April 30, 2010 Good Luck and hope your girls enjoy them Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
