2 weeks different in age, will they get along?

[vjbakke]

If we order more they will be about 2 weeks younger than the ones we currently have. I know they will need seperate brooders, but will they get along when we put the two groups together? We want to order some Dominique hens, we currently have golden buffs.

Thanks

 

[vjbakke]

I just order 2 Dominique females and 1 Meyer meal maker free female chick. Our chicks now were hatched on April 4th, The new order should arrive April 12-14. Is this age difference a big deal?

 

[pixiedouglas]

I dont know about putting 1 day olds in with 2 wk olds, but I put some 2 wk olds in with my 1 wk olds with no problem whatsoever. The 1 wk olds outnumbered the 2 wk olds, and it probably didn't hurt that the 2 wk olds were Faverolles. My Easter Egger still bosses them around like no ones business even though they are both bigger than her.

 

[Celtic Chick]

As chicks, they definitely need separate brooders for the difference in heat requirements.
Also, whenever you put strange chickens together, there are going to be brawls. They have a pecking order and there is nothing you can do to avoid it, unfortunately. They are going to fight, but it will not last. Once the pecking order is established, they should all get along more or less. Unless you have roosters.

The best rule to follow is to introduce chickens when they are all relatively the same size. That way there is not much of a weight/size advantage.
And never put chicks in with strange adults.
Hope this helps!

 

[vjbakke]

I got everything today for the 2nd brooder. I think I might wait a week or so with the new ones then see how they get along? The older ones will go in the coop first. I beleive the Dominique's will be a little lager as adults than the golden buffs, then there will be one" mystery chick". I'll have to take pics and try to figure out what it is!

 

[FMAFarms]

Your Buff Orpingtons should be bigger than your Dominiques. Orpingtons are one of the largest breeds of chicken. They are also known for their docility, both towards humans and towards other chicken breeds. Last week, we put our two week olds (28 of them) together with our four week olds (8 of them) and after a day or two of sorting out the pecking order, everyone is fine and dandy and snuggling down or roosting together. And we have lots of different breeds going. You should be fine, but I would wait until your new chicks are 1 week old to their 3 weeks, or 2 weeks old to their 4 weeks.

 

[vjbakke]

Quote:
They are golden buffs, also called red star, cinnamon queen, golden sex link http://www.meyerhatchery.com/productinfo.a5w?session.category=Chickens&grd_prodone_filter=PRODUCT_ID%20%3d%20%27GBUS%27

Hens will only be about 4 lbs.

I understand about waiting, I want to get them situated first.

Thanks

 

[Dannee]

I have a 4 week old Plymouth Rock and last week introduced two new Cochins...she hates them and I separated her and put her back in and she still hates them. The rest of the flock is fine with them. I don't know what to do other that give her away? Let me know your thoughts...bye the way I am raising a friends flock as well put her in with them and she is fine...two of their babies are the same age as mine......big ??????.....dont know what to do....

 

[bucket04]

Not seasoned in this, but..... I got 3 day-olds last week and put them in the same brooder as my 3 week olds. I gave them an area cornered off from the bigger ones using a cardboard frame with saran wrap as a window, set kitty-corner so that the big ones couldn't get in, but the little ones could run back and forth all they wanted. (They had their own food and water behind the barrier too.) The first day the babies mostly stayed put in their area, but would come out when 'safe'. They've been in there a week now and all of them get along fine and eat from the same dishes. I will be adding my new day olds to the main brooder after they figure out food and water completely.
I think it is possible, as long as you watch them closely and make changes as needed. I used a LOT of duct tape getting the barrier just right.

 

[Heckel's Hens]

Not an expert, but I put my day olds in with my 2 week odls. They are exactly 16 days apart. Started them off in the same brooder with a wire mesh down the middle to separate them for one day, then watched them as they integrated. A few babies were stepped on mildly, but they quickly learned how to avoid the older chicks. No serious pecking. They are 4 and 6 weeks old now and still live happily together.