[sophiejo]

I have been thinking about getting some chickens since last year. Have reads lots, decided which coup to buy. Now for the chickens.
We have two children (six and four) and thought it would be brilliant for them to have some chicks. A Goldline, Sussex and maybe a couple of Maran's. I can get some 10-14 day olds now or wait for some day olds, do they change much in two weeks? Would I need to have them vaccinated? They won't have had Mareks at one day old.

Thanks

[joyfull]

most small breeders don't vaccinate as the doses come in too big a quantity (1000 at a time). The vaccination process starts at 1 day old. Being vaccinated does not mean that your chicks will not get the illness but usually it shouldn't be too severe, however if these vaccines aren't administered properly (for example mareks must be used up within 1 1/2 hours of opening the vaccine otherwise it will be no good) then you might as well not bother. Are you planning on getting colour sexed? otherwise you could end up with cockerels. Do you have a brooder set up? Personally I would recommend you start with point of lays and then get chicks at a later stage if you want them.

[Casey76]

Sussex and Marans aren't sex-linked or auto sexing, so if you buy day-olds you run the risk (50/50 if you're lucky!) of buying cockerals.

As time goes on it is easier to tell the sex of the chicks by the growth of the feathers (in some breeds, the girls feather up much more quickly than the boys), and by comb and wattle development.  however this works best if you have a number you can compare them to.  If you only have one of a breed, then you have no comparison.

And, yes, there is a big difference between day-olds and two weeks.

These are chicks at about 3-5 days


And this is one of the white chicks at about 2 and a half weeks:

[Jeanette]

I would go for pol first and once you feel that you want some more then i would think of chicks as it can be a lot of work caring for them ( i just found that out myself ). If you get chicks then go for ones a couple of weeks old as they are not as fragile. Good luck.

[sophiejo]

Thanks for all of your replies. I really appreciate it.
Sometimes you spend so long thinking and reading about things it is good to have an outside perspective! With the allotment, kids and volunteer work I am not sure I will have the time I would need to rear 4 chicks. We are now looking forward to getting some pol's next w/e and are so excited! Maybe when we have some first hand chicen experience we will get some chicks.
Thanks

[joyfull]

don't forget to post photo's of them on the chicken chat pages - we all love looking at other peoples girls