New chicks arriving 7-10 days apart--okay to brood together?

mcstewartchick said:

Hello BYC!
I've been avidly reading, but this is my very first post

I'm finally getting new chicks this spring, and I'm planning my brooder. I'm getting chicks from the local feed store, and while I can get most of the breeds I want on the same weekend, I'd like to add a few chicks to the flock the next weekend too when they get a different breed. I know chicks grow fast, but since I am a chicken rookie, here is my question...Will I be able to put the babies in with the week-olds right away? Or will they be picked on/need to be separated at first? Give me your best recommendation!

(Just in case it matters, the breeds coming home week 1 are Barred Rocks, RIR, BO, Ameracaunas. Week 2, silver laced and gold laced wyandottes)

Click to expand...

lazy gardener said:

I've done a 10 day spread without issues. B/C there was such a size difference, I put a divider, and rotated some of the older chicks in with the little ones, 1 - 2 at a time, and then, after observing all of the older ones interacting with the younger, I pulled the divider. Last year, I did a 21 day spread, again, keeping a divider until the little ones were stronger... about a week, then pulled the divider. If they have plenty of room, you should be fine. I like to start out with 1 s.f./chick and increase to 2 or more s.f./chick by 3 weeks old.

Click to expand...