2 week old chicks with 3 day old chicks?

[4acresNachick]

Whats the best way to combine the chicks. Do I keep the brooder divided or have a separate brooder? Will that cause problems later when they all are ready for the coop? I am new to raising chickens so any help is much appreciated. Thanks!

 

[speckledhen]

Should be fine, up to a 3 week difference. At least, that's never been an issue here. After that, they get way too rambunctious with the tiny ones.

 

[vjbakke]

What about the temp difference between them? The 3 day old will need to hotter than the 2 week old. I have 3 week olds that I need to mix with 1 week olds.

 

[4acresNachick]

Yeah. that was my next question. the brooder I have is big enough should I section the new ones off closer to the light maybe?

 

[snomonkey33]

I would let them hang out in whatever section they want, they will self-regulate their location based on temperature. Just make sure there's an area warm enough for the newbs and an area cool enough for the old farts!

 

[SIMPleChick]

I have never had a problem! I even have 8 week olds with 2 week olds....we haven't finished the coop yet! But they all cuddle with eath other, it just takes a day for them to get used to each other and with me I have to make sure no one gets stepped on. It happens on accident some times but no one has been hurt!

 

[Nicole01]

I just brought home a baby today. 3 of the other chicks are 4 weeks old. It is going very well. The older ones are snuggling to the baby and keeping her nice and warm.

 

[4acresNachick]

Oh that is all good to hear. My husband and I are new to raising chickens and of course what was just supposed to be a few hens to give us fresh eggs sometimes is now up to 15 birds and the coop design has been enlarged three times!

 

[mama24]

I've been getting a few chicks every week for the last 4 weeks. I felt like they were fine together until this past week. The 2 4wo chicks were just too big and kept stepping on the little bantams. I actually gave those and some of my newer chicks to a friend (this was planned before I got them.

) Then I moved my 2wo Easter Eggers and (I think) standard brahma and 3wo bantams outside (w/ a lamp) b/c they were all being too rough for my new baby bantams. I would have to say these EE's are the most rambunctious/active chicks I've had so far. Very precocious!

 

[snomonkey33]

My older chick always walks on the younger ones. I think its trying to establish pecking order. They squawk a lot but none have died yet.