We picked up our next set of laying chicks from one of our favorite hatcheries, Abendroth Hatchery (we've gotten all of our layers from them). I picked them up on August 4th, just a few hours after they hatched.
They're doing very well and everyone is healthy. Their wing feathers are coming in and they've already doubled in size! They're the Gold Star breed and are said to be a very proficient laying hen with a good temperament.
They're in the brooder until they get the rest of their feathers and get a bit bigger, which will take a few more weeks. After that, they'll move to the "big girl coop" and begin their transition into the rest of the flock. They will remain separated from the rest of the hens until they are nearly the same size as the rest of the birds. I hope to have them out free-ranging just after Halloween, although they won't start laying eggs until the end of the year (at about 5 - 6 months old). Welcome little ladies!
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