4 week old with 5 3 day olds

[Robinvila]

Current setup: 5 4 day old chicks in a large cardboard box with brooder plate, chicks purchased yesterday. Predicament: neighbor brought over a 4 week old Egyptian Fayoumis as a gift. I wasn’t sure what to do so I sectioned off the box with a hardware cloth divider separating the older chick from the babies. I have 4 2 year old hens outside that free range, a 4x8 coop that is connected to a 7x10 dog kennel. Im not sure when it is wise to remove the divider. I’m also not sure about integrating one chicken with the flock by herself when it’s time. Im seeking guidance on a strategy to move forward that will be the healthiest and least stressful for all. Thank you so much.

 

[kattabelly]

If you only have one 4 week old and several 4 day olds I'd expect integration to be fairly easy. I've mixed those ages before and I just made sure the smaller chicks had a "safe room" only they could access, and that they knew how to get in & out of there.

They really need to be in a bigger space than a big cardboard box though, especially the older chick.

 

[Robinvila]

Thank you

 

[Robinvila]

If you only have one 4 week old and several 4 day olds I'd expect integration to be fairly easy. I've mixed those ages before and I just made sure the smaller chicks had a "safe room" only they could access, and that they knew how to get in & out of there.

They really need to be in a bigger space than a big cardboard box though, especially the

 

[Robinvila]

They are in my living room, I don’t have a barn or garage or shed. Im in Kansas and we still get way down close to freezing many nights. Do you have a suggestion for a better setup? The box is 4 feet x 3 feet.

 

[Ridgerunner]

You never know what will happen with living animals. I had a 2-week-old chick kill its hatchmate. No integration involved. I had a 2-week-old killed when it got into a pen of 8-week-olds where the broody hen could not protect it. As @kattabelly probably has, I've had mixed age integration go smoothly. You never know until you try.

The way I'd approach it would be to house them across wire for a few days so they can see each other, then when you can be around to observe let the chicks together. See how it goes and base your actions on what you see. The basic plan would be to integrate the chicks with each other first and then add them to your older flock together.

I don't know what your weather is like wherever you are so I'm not sure when those younger chicks could go outside. I'd think it would probably be another month or more so that 3x4 box may be getting small, especially for that older chick. You might consider getting a bigger box, maybe check at an appliance store and see if they could let you have one. Or tape two boxes together.

 

[Robinvila]

Thank you. Taping two boxes together is a great idea. Im in Kansas, one day it’s 15 degrees two days later it’s 90. Nights still dipping pretty low. I’ll keep them inside and perhaps take the Fayoumis out for some foraging here and there. I didn’t expect the older chick to arrive lol so it’s definitely a challenge for me.