MaxBaz Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Would appreciate advice on this, I know of a couple who I understand haven't kept chickens before, but want to start with chicks. I've always started with POL and whilst I personally don't think its a good idea, want to be able to advise them practically. I understand they are enough in the countryside to be able to keep a rooster, but even so if they hatch 3-4 roosters in a batch of eggs, then what? they are indicating that they would like their young children to see the whole egg hatching/chick etc, which I fully appreciate but to start with that to me seems a bit too adventurous! They are also talking about starting with purebreeds as well rather than the delightful little ISA Warrens/Browns Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Luvachicken Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 I don't know anything in particular, but I did buy a book called 'Chick Days, An Absolute Beginners Guide, Raising Chickens from Hatchlings to Laying Hens' by Jenna Woginrich. It is a lovely book and explains everything, day by day and then week by week. From the height of the lamp, to changing the bedding and what they should be eating and doing. I found it a really interesting read and would really like chicks one day. Hope this helps. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dance in the dark Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 I have bought that chick days book also and it is very good. However, starting just with chicks seems crazy to me! Could you not persuade them to get a couple of POL and then think about chicks at a later date? Or perhaps could they be tempted to get growers or even a couple of week olds when the chance of survival is much higher? Chicks require much more specific and continuous care, especially if they want to start with eggs. I would tell them to thoroughly research all the things they need to have and do before and whilst having chicks, and see if they reconsider. Tim Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 points against hatching 1, as said what if you end up with 3 or 4 cocks or all cocks with is not that uncommon. un-wanted cocks dam near impossible to re-home 2,a total failure ie no eggs hatch again not that uncommon 3, only one egg hatches 4, chicks hatch with defects and need culling at cute and cuddly stage not easy 5 it'll be at least 18 weeks before they lay an egg I've had a late May hatched girl that didn't lay untill Febuary her August hatched sisters started to lay about 2 weeks before her others will have more points I don't it make that much differance starting of with pure breeds against starting with hybrids other than the cost but that depends on were you live. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
markAndCharlene Posted May 17, 2012 Share Posted May 17, 2012 Chicks... Cons.... Hatches of 6 that are all boys (like our latest Faverolle hatch) Culling cockerels Culling sick chicks Running heat lamps or brooders can be expensive. Running incubators have a cost. Housing chicks as they grow up as they need to be on seperate foodstuffs from the layers (and growers at 6 weeks) Failed hatches Chicks dying in shell 18 weeks off laying. The cost of bringing them to lay is about 50% of the cost of buying at POL, so is it worth it? Pros. They are cute and hatching them is amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Pro - if you hatch them using an incubator - you can hand tame them. They become wonderful chickens! Con - when you hand rear a cockerel or two & it / they have to go. Chick hatching can be quite gory. If I had children, I wouldn't let them witness it until at a sensible age where they understand death, abnormalities etc. Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Purplemaniacs Posted May 18, 2012 Share Posted May 18, 2012 Chick hatching can be quite gory. If I had children, I wouldn't let them witness it until at a sensible age where they understand death, abnormalities etc. Emma.x I let my grandchildren watch, K is 7 and E just 3, if something went wrong I would have distracted them. The poorly one I did explain that it may not live, K has known two of the hybrid chooks who have died. They both know that I can not keep any boys and that they are going back to the breeder, they do not know what will happen to them then. If handled carefully I think it s a great experience, one that I will definitely repeat Chrissie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
