INDIANA BYC'ers HERE!

[akorte]

I have 4 phases of chicks in the coop now

12 weeks
9 weeks
6 weeks
And 4 weeks

They all eat the same feed. Will it hurt the older ones to stay on grower/ finisher or change and the little ones start early on layer? Or do I need to keep them apart?

How/when did you mix them? I have week old and 4 week old chicks I would like to mix at some point.

 

[sfd6532]

They are all in the coop together. As the group in the brooder became about 4 weeks or full feathered I took them out to the coop. They all seem to stay in their own "group" as of age. The oldest/biggest ones do chase the others around when it comes to food and treats. But, for the most part, they all get along.

 

[Faraday40]

They are all in the coop together. As the group in the brooder became about 4 weeks or full feathered I took them out to the coop. They all seem to stay in their own "group" as of age. The oldest/biggest ones do chase the others around when it comes to food and treats. But, for the most part, they all get along.

That's what I tend to see every year. The "teens" hang together & the hens have their own group while free rnaging in the yard.. (They all come running for treats, though. The teens just stand a little further back.) About 20 weeks of age, the teens start to hang around the outer edge of the hen group. They eventually merge into one group - usually when the pullets begin to lay.

 

[akorte]

That's what I tend to see every year.  The "teens" hang together & the hens have their own group while free rnaging in the yard..  (They all come running for treats, though.  The teens just stand a little further back.)  About 20 weeks of age, the teens start to hang around the outer edge of the hen group.  They eventually merge into one group - usually when the pullets begin to lay.

Great info, thanks!

 

[EmilyOfIndiana]

Sigh... I can see the appeal of a broody hen this morning. Ya know, since I am one today with 6 5 day old birds down my sweatshirt in the dark for the second time in 24 hours... power went out again...

 

[akorte]

How much scratching is normal? I see a lot of wing scratching and the wings seem bald ish but that might just be because they are getting big girl wings. I don't see any parasites but I'm worried.

 

[Faraday40]

How much scratching is normal? I see a lot of wing scratching and the wings seem bald ish but that might just be because they are getting big girl wings. I don't see any parasites but I'm worried.

Yes. That's probably normal. Those prickly feathers must not feel comfortable.

 

[Faraday40]

Sigh... I can see the appeal of a broody hen this morning. Ya know, since I am one today with 6 5 day old birds down my sweatshirt in the dark for the second time in 24 hours... power went out again...

Sorry about the power outages, but you certainly paint a funny mental image with your words. Keeping your sense of humor is the best way to get through "those" kind of days.

 

[akorte]

Yes.  That's probably normal.  Those prickly feathers must not feel comfortable.

Thank you!

 

[akorte]

Sorry about the power outages, but you certainly paint a funny mental image with your words.  Keeping your sense of humor is the best way to get through "those" kind of days.

Yes definitely gave me a laugh!