If you’re interested in raising chickens, you might wonder about the age of chicks when you purchase them. The age of chicks varies, but most are sold within the 24-72 hour range after hatching.
Keep reading to learn more about chick age ranges, breeder recommendations, factors affecting chick age, and the importance of age in chicks for raising chickens successfully.
How Old Are Chicks When You Buy Them?
Almost all stores sell chicks at least 1-2 days old. By 1 week, they will have grown their baby feathers, and in 12 weeks, they will replace the baby fuzz with real feathers. You should be able to tell the age of the chicks when you buy them so that you can give them the care and nutrition they need.
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Breeder Recommendations
However, according to experts, it is best to buy your chickens when they are at the point of laying (POL). This is best for those who want to harvest eggs while raising chickens. POL chickens typically take 2-4 weeks to give eggs. Whereas, if you take a day-old chick, you must take care of them for 20-21 weeks before they can provide eggs.
Factors Affecting Chick Age
Several factors can affect the age of chicks when you make your purchase, including the hatchery, shipping distance, breed, and local availability. For instance, some hatcheries only ship chicks at least 24-72 hours old, while others can deliver older chicks. The breed of chicken can also play a role, as certain species reach maturity faster than others.
Importance of Age in Chicks
They are knowing the age of chicks when purchasing is crucial for providing them with proper care and nutrition. Different age ranges have different needs regarding food, warmth, and space. The younger the chick, the more care they require.
For example, day-old chicks need supplemental heating to maintain their body temperature, whereas 12-week-old chicks generally have enough feathers to stay warm.
Moreover, understanding the age of your chicks can help you estimate when they’ll start laying eggs, reach full size, and develop any breed-specific characteristics.
In conclusion, when purchasing chicks, consider their age to ensure they receive the appropriate care and nutrition to thrive and meet your expectations, whether for collecting eggs or raising healthy chickens.
Things To Consider Before Buying Chicks:
Before purchasing a dozen or more chicks, several crucial prerequisites must be met to ensure a nurturing and welcoming habitat for them.
Do you have enough time to take care of the chicks?
Please take into consideration that raising chicks requires a significant time commitment. It is crucial to assess whether you can adequately dedicate the necessary time to care for them. As the chicks grow older, their care becomes more manageable.
However, when they are just a day-old, constant monitoring of their water and food intake and the temperature in their coop is essential to provide them with a healthy environment for growth.
Do you have enough space in your yard?
Unless you possess a farm or contemplate commencing one, it is imperative to evaluate whether your yard or residence can accommodate the construction of a chicken coop.
Generally, chicken runs occupy relatively little space, but a substantial area is necessary to erect a facility capable of housing all your chicks, even as they mature into larger adults.
How many chicks are you willing to breed?
Consider that your chicks will reach egg-laying age in a matter of months. Calculating the potential egg production per hen is crucial, especially if you plan to breed the fertilized eggs. Ensure you have sufficient space to accommodate all of them.
How To Introduce Chicks To Your Flock
The common misconception is that all mother hens will exhibit maternal behavior towards baby chicks. However, this is often not the case, regardless of the type of animals being bred.
Typically, older hens may not appreciate the addition of a new flock of birds to their established home. They may perceive them as a threat, particularly in terms of food resources.
Therefore, it is crucial to take precautionary measures when introducing new chicks to an existing flock.
Patience is paramount; one must exercise great patience with the older flock and gradually familiarize them with the idea of new members. Close monitoring of their interactions is essential.
Physical separation is recommended while allowing them to become accustomed to each other’s appearance and scent.
After a prolonged and gradual introduction process, attempts can be made to integrate them once the chicks have fully developed feathers and are at least 12-23 weeks old.
What not to do:
One crucial consideration to remember is to avoid introducing a single chick to an entire flock. This is because older chickens may exhibit aggression towards the young chick or even cause harm out of a sense of threat.
It is advisable to start with a few friendly adult chickens and gradually introduce them to the little chick. Alternatively, if you only have one chick, waiting until it reaches maturity is recommended before integrating it into the same chicken pen as the other chickens.
Concluding Thoughts
Overall, it is essential to be mindful of the age of chicks when purchasing. Knowing their age can help you provide them with the proper care and nutrition they need.
Additionally, preparation is essential for introducing new chicks into an older flock. Patience is key as hens may take time to adjust to a new chicken coop.
With the right knowledge and preparation, you can rest assured that your chickens will receive what they need to grow into healthy adults.
