2 Week Brooding Age Gap

[RidgeCreekFarm]

We got 9 chicks last weekend that are supposed to be around 2 weeks old +/- : 3 smaller Wyandottes, 3 BO's and 2 Speckled Sussex that are comparatively medium sized, and 1 larger Speckled Sussex. Today we plan to go back to the store and get 3 Light Brahmas that just came in (about 2 days old). We want to try and brood them together (so the 3 little ones will have the benefit of snuggling with the others), with a back up plan of devising some sort of divider for the 2x2x4 Stock Tank Brooder.

Does anyone have any hints or tips? Would Cardboard and Duct Tape make a safe divider?

Also, what sort of interaction behavior should we look for as good/ bad signs and if they have to be divided, at what age can they be put back together?

Blessings!

 

[lazy gardener]

Your brooder is only big enough for 4 chicks. With the age difference, I'd recommend that you have even more space available. Your older chicks are almost old enough to be weaning them off heat if you have them in your home. If you could trade out that stock tank for an appliance box that would provide 2 s.f./bird (which is the recommended space allowance for chicks 2 - 3 weeks old), and if you could put a temporary divider which would provide appropriate temp in the warm space for the new babies.

 

[CannedMonster]

You want the divider to separate them but still allow them to see each other.
That part is key because if they can’t see each other, they won’t get used to each other.
I’d leave the divider up for a week or two.
They will still have scuffles even after that because they’ll need to establish pecking order.

 

[CannedMonster]

Try making a divider out of chicken wire or something like that.
Make sure there’s enough room for everyone!
My brooder only worked for about 2.5 weeks before my 8 chicks outgrew it.
Now I have a brooder made out of plywood that is 4 feet x 5 feet.
This should work until my chicks are full feathered at about 6 weeks or so and can go outside to my grow out coop.

 

[lazy gardener]

I have done 10 day to 3 week age gap with good results. With chicks, you could probably get away with 2 days separation followed by supervised mingling. The important thing is to see to it that there is plenty of room and that the babies don't get trampled.

 

[CannedMonster]

I have done 10 day to 3 week age gap with good results. With chicks, you could probably get away with 2 days separation followed by supervised mingling. The important thing is to see to it that there is plenty of room and that the babies don't get trampled.

Oh wow. So you put day olds in with 3 week olds with supervision successfully?
That’s good to know.

 

[RidgeCreekFarm]

Thanks for all the replies! I think only 4 chicks at their current size would be rather lost in our brooder. Maybe they aren’t 2 weeks old?
I’ve attached some pics.

 

[lazy gardener]

Chicks grow fast and double their size every week. By 2 - 3 weeks old, they will be flying all over the place if they are given enough room. Crowded chicks can become aggressive with each other resulting in feather picking, and progressing to cannibalism.

 

[lazy gardener]

Try making a divider out of chicken wire or something like that.
Make sure there’s enough room for everyone!
My brooder only worked for about 2.5 weeks before my 8 chicks outgrew it.
Now I have a brooder made out of plywood that is 4 feet x 5 feet.
This should work until my chicks are full feathered at about 6 weeks or so and can go outside to my grow out coop.
View attachment 1342033

Nice brooder!

 

[CannedMonster]

View attachment 1342062 View attachment 1342063 View attachment 1342064 View attachment 1342065 View attachment 1342066 Thanks for all the replies! I think only 4 chicks at their current size would be rather lost in our brooder. Maybe they aren’t 2 weeks old?
I’ve attached some pics.

Yours don’t look quite 2 weeks to me.
They’re usually growing in their wing feathers by then.
I think you could add 4 to them successfully. But you should do it now.