Chicken bald back

[Fjs25]

Hi there,

I was just wondering at what age baby chicks can leave and go to live at new homes?

Thank you

[Purplemaniacs]

I think it would depend on whether their new home has the ablility to keep them warm. If they have a brooder then they could have them when they were very little.

 

Chrissie

[Fjs25]

Hi, than, you for your reply. If they didn't have a brooder how old would they need to be?

[sjp]

they 'come' off heat at around 6 weeks old them if indoor raised need to be acclimatised to the outside for about 2-4 weeks depending on the time of year and weather conditions I've kept January hatched birds indoors to at least 12 weeks old

broody raised birds are hardier and can be 'abandoned' by mom at 6 weeks old so could be rehomed at that age

 

are looking to buy or sell chicks

if it's to buy chicks then the younger they are the harder it is to sex them and you have a hire likely hood of ending up with boys which are dam near impossible to re-home

[miller30]

Hi my babys all go up for sale at 8 weeks when they have been outside for at least 2 weeks even if they are broody reared I wont sell babies until 8 weeks unless im selling day olds to people with brooders which wouldn't be this time of year as my incys are packed away until next year you don't really want any chicks this time of year as sjp has said by the time they are off heat it will be like October and it is harder to get them outside leanne

[Redwing]

8 weeks is safe as Leanne says

 

Personally this time of year is not good for buying chicks. Anything under about 16 weeks will really struggle to thrive due to the decreasing amounts of light. Most responsible breeders will grow chicks on under artifical light and let them go when they are older and in fact unless breeding specifically to sell most breeders dont hatch beyond May/June

 

Shorter days mean less eating, running around plus the cold which will keep weight off simply doesnt result in strong and healthy growth

 

Extending the days by using an otside light or putting the chicks in a roomy shed/stable with a light is an option