Home rearing chicks

[Hipkiss1987]

An opportunity has come up to get some chicks which have hatched at a local school.
I’ve been looking at getting some POL hens but not considered chicks really.

I understand the main requirements of their care.
Any advise on brooder size for say 3-8 chicks.

Any other advise would be appreciated also.

TIA

 

[Lincs Lass]

Heat lamp and round pen ,,not square as the chicks sit in the corners and go cold .
How many are there
Feed them with chick crumb and water in a gravity drinker, not open water as they drown ,,they natural know how to feed

 

[Netherfield]

Be careful though, if you're thinking of egg production you might end up with as many cocks as pullets.

 

[Hipkiss1987]

Be careful though, if you're thinking of egg production you might end up with as many cocks as pullets.

Yes I have thought this. Egg production is the idea.
Unsure what to do with any cocks. Could maybe give one to a farm I work on to free range but any more no clue. Other than dispatch.

At what point do they become sexable?

 

[Hipkiss1987]

Heat lamp and round pen ,,not square as the chicks sit in the corners and go cold .
How many are there
Feed them with chick crumb and water in a gravity drinker, not open water as they drown ,,they natural know how to feed

At maximum 7.

I have an old vivarium I used for lizards which have long gone. Perfect for keeping heat in. Was thinking of meshing one half of the sliding doors for extra ventilation and keeping one sliding door.

Could easily round the corners so the chicks can’t sit in corners.

 

[Netherfield]

Yes I have thought this. Egg production is the idea.
Unsure what to do with any cocks. Could maybe give one to a farm I work on to free range but any more no clue. Other than dispatch.

At what point do they become sexable?

Depends on the breed, vent sexing at day old if you know what look for, colour sexing in the brown/white hybrids,pullets are darker than cocks but around 6/8 week the cocks combs become more prominent and redden up than the pullets.

 

[Kidds]

Unsure what to do with any cocks.

Eat them.
Two months from now you might be very glad to have them.

 

[Hipkiss1987]

Eat them.
Two months from now you might be very glad to have them.

When do cocks start being vocal?

 

[Lincs Lass]

5-6 months ish, depends on the breed