How do you thin the herd?

[swamphiker]

I was wondering about visiting chicken keeping friends...

Am I likely to track pathogens home to my flock?

That's an interesting question. I have a few other friends with chickens and it hasn't been an issue. I haven't intentionally done anything to increase my biosecurity, but it might help that my "backyard" shoes that I am usually wearing around my own chickens are different than the shoes I wear outside the house, plus I wash my hands after handling chickens (my own or someone else's).

 

[Ocho 8 Farm]

I went a bit chick crazy this past spring and have 11 chicks that are about 7 weeks old. 4 lavender orpingtons, 1 white orpington, 1 mystery, 1 barred rock (im guessing), 1 buff brahma, 1 ancona and 2 white leghorns.


At 7 weeks old, one of the lavenders is already showing some red and comb growth. The white orp and the ancona are also showing some color so I'm like 99% sure that they're little cockerels. I can provide images.

So those 3 are definitely on their way out, as sad as i am bc i love them all. For the rest of the chicks, how should I go about figuring out who to keep? My run for them isn't terribly large so I just wanna make sure everyone has enough space to be happy and cluckin', and for context I already have an 8 hen flock. I don't breed, I keep them as pets but definitely enjoy the eggs. In your experience, are skittish chicks more likely to grow up aloof and scared of you? Because in that case I might want to re-home the skittish ones as well. Thank you guys!

I have been in the same boat as you are, too many times really
What I do now is keep everyone until 10-12 weeks minimum. Personalitys start changing once the teenage hormones start. Then I narrow it from there. Then once they hit laying age I may decide another one or two can go. I have found that sometimes your favorite chick turns into a little trouble maker once they start becoming adults and the chicks that were bullies or not so sweet turn out to be some of the friendliest and sweetest.
I have also had bad chicks stay bad and sweet chicks stay sweet. My point tho is the baby chick/ adolescent stage is short lived and hormones can totally change their behavior. It’s such a tough decision to make and I feel ya! I also try and make my decisions based on “what’s best for the flock” If I really only have room to add three with out over crowding then it’s not best to add four because I love four. I still have to only choose three. And that’s where watching personalities becomes key as well. Who gets along best with the flock and not necessarily just my favorite. Good luck to you!

 

[FattyChickens]

I have been in the same boat as you are, too many times really
What I do now is keep everyone until 10-12 weeks minimum. Personalitys start changing once the teenage hormones start. Then I narrow it from there. Then once they hit laying age I may decide another one or two can go. I have found that sometimes your favorite chick turns into a little trouble maker once they start becoming adults and the chicks that were bullies or not so sweet turn out to be some of the friendliest and sweetest.
I have also had bad chicks stay bad and sweet chicks stay sweet. My point tho is the baby chick/ adolescent stage is short lived and hormones can totally change their behavior. It’s such a tough decision to make and I feel ya! I also try and make my decisions based on “what’s best for the flock” If I really only have room to add three with out over crowding then it’s not best to add four because I love four. I still have to only choose three. And that’s where watching personalities becomes key as well. Who gets along best with the flock and not necessarily just my favorite. Good luck to you!

Thank you so much! I'll give them some time. Mainly right now I'm seeing 3 possible cockerels, 8 weeks old and already have color while my other 13 week olds are showing much less color. I think I'm gonna give them all to 12 weeks and then downsize