Is your dog's unusual barking a secret code for something mysterious?

[emerald]

Firstly Many thanks for help on tmy other post I hope this post isn't too long

 

I contacted my local breeder and she has of today she has

day olds (but all the same breed and colour)

6 week chicks coco maran, white sussex, and another breed

nest week more day olds of several different breeds.

 

So I have a run which could be split. into a 15ftx5ft and 6ft by 4ft but only have one cube. So ifn I had the older onse they would have to have the cube with the next box closed off and my other two hens would sleep in the nest box (they do anyway since fox attack) Or put two hens in large rabbit hutch (they can stand up in it) and put 6 week olds in cube until they can mix altogether.

 

Or wate until next week and get the new chicks who will then be ised for a good while, by which time I could come up with something a bit better.

 

Questions

 

At what age could the hens mix with the new chicks I will be working towards keeping them in sight of each other as much as possible.

 

What are 6 week olds like, are they still chick like or already at the ugly stage. Are they small enough for the children to think of them as babies/chicks they are keen to bond with them as they were so fond of our RIP ladies.

 

I'm going to the poultry farm on Friday and said to the breeder I'll keep an open mind until then but she suggested I might be better with the 6 week chicks.

 

Is it ok once I've got them to ask questions on here, I'm well used to POL hens but nothing younger but really looking forward to learning.

 

Thanks in advance for any help

[meezers]

Questions

 

At what age could the hens mix with the new chicks I will be working towards keeping them in sight of each other as much as possible.

they would need to be much older- I'm guessing about 18weeks ,or the older hens will pick on them, my legbar and dorking were 14 & 16 weeks when I got them, I kept them apart from the older girls for a month. .

What are 6 week olds like, are they still chick like or already at the ugly stage. Are they small enough for the children to think of them as babies/chicks they are keen to bond with them as they were so fond of our RIP ladies.

Well, my chicks are just over 3 weeks old now, and I think they are leaving their 'cute' stage. I would think in another 3 weeks they'll be scruffy looking teenagers.

 

I'm going to the poultry farm on Friday and said to the breeder I'll keep an open mind until then but she suggested I might be better with the 6 week chicks.

 

Is it ok once I've got them to ask questions on here, I'm well used to POL hens but nothing younger but really looking forward to learning.

 

Thanks in advance for any help

 

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

[meezers]

Just re read your post. Depending on the size of the rabbit hutch, I would suggest the 6 weeks old would be better in there. They won't need to perch and doubt they'd manage the cube ladder. You could them intergrate them with your other girls in the cube when they are older.

[Redwing]

Just re read your post. Depending on the size of the rabbit hutch, I would suggest the 6 weeks old would be better in there. They won't need to perch and doubt they'd manage the cube ladder. You could them intergrate them with your other girls in the cube when they are older.

 

 

I agree with this, it will be warmer in the rabbit hutch for them too

 

Chicks at 6 weeks old are still diddy they have gone through fluffy and cute to ugly and are older but cute - they still cheep and still play and are chick like

 

I think you'd be better off with 6 week olds, I dont mean to be in any way harsh but your queries and comments over the last couple of days would indicate that you arent really set up for day old chicks

[emerald]

 

Chicks at 6 weeks old are still diddy they have gone through fluffy and cute to ugly and are older but cute - they still cheep and still play and are chick like

 

I think you'd be better off with 6 week olds, I dont mean to be in any way harsh but your queries and comments over the last couple of days would indicate that you arent really set up for day old chicks

 

Thanks everyone, Yes I think that the 6 week olds would be the better idea, even though I was looking forward to haing them inside.

 

Redwing, I've just read your discription of the 6 week old chicks to the children and they seem a little bit happier, (althoough the ugly didn't go down well) they will still be small enough to feel like they have had them from babies. I have also explained that day old chicks might not all survive or turn out to be boys.

 

So the hutch for the newbies and keep the hens in the cube. Better get to work then

[emerald]

 

Chicks at 6 weeks old are still diddy they have gone through fluffy and cute to ugly and are older but cute - they still cheep and still play and are chick like

 

I think you'd be better off with 6 week olds, I dont mean to be in any way harsh but your queries and comments over the last couple of days would indicate that you arent really set up for day old chicks

 

Thanks everyone, Yes I think that the 6 week olds would be the better idea, even though I was looking forward to haing them inside.

 

Redwing, I've just read your discription of the 6 week old chicks to the children and they seem a little bit happier, (althoough the ugly didn't go down well) they will still be small enough to feel like they have had them from babies. I have also explained that day old chicks might not all survive or turn out to be boys.

 

So the hutch for the newbies and keep the hens in the cube. Better get to work then

[Lewis]

Sounds like you're sorted

 

6 weeks in a hutch and 6x4 run will be fine

[Redwing]

They should be out of the ugly gangly stage by 6 weeks

 

My own laptop isnt working so I cant post you some pics of 6 weeks old chicks, have a scoot through this section as many people post pics of theirs

[Lewis]

I didn't get one at 6 weeks, but here's a video of our

- still quite chicky

[emerald]

Thanks so much. I'll search for some images of 6 week old chicks and I could have sat and watched that video of your 8week olds all night.

 

They look lush.

[emerald]

Just an update.

 

After listening to all your advice I have reserved 2x bluebelle 2 x Cou Cou maran and 1 Rhode rock. Collect Friday afternoon.

I very tempted to get one more so I end up with an even number and would have liked another RR but they only had one. Would you get another one BB or CC.

 

So my flock will be

 

Silver sussex

Columiban blacktail

Bluebelle x 2

Cou Cou x 2

Rhode Rock

[Lewis]

What about getting another 2 later in the year, or next year, so when they stop laying in the future it won't all happen at the same time?

[emerald]

What about getting another 2 later in the year, or next year, so when they stop laying in the future it won't all happen at the same time?

 

Good idea, I've just contacted the breeder and said I will just take the bluebells and the cou cou's and when they have settled in I'll get two more. If I'm honest I'll get them in the spring and if we have a broody I will defo get some day olds to put under her or be braver still and get some eggs.

 

Roll on Friday afternoon, and then no housework,shopping cooking etc as we will all be chick watching

[Redwing]

that sounds like a plan - the next 24 hours will drag though

[Lewis]

 

Photos are a must