Adding new day old chicks to brooder with 4 week old chicks?

[MontanaDolphin]

I went to Southern States this morning to pick out 6 new chicks, since the last batch I got contains 4 cockerels and 2 pullets. I didn't even think about any problems putting them in the brooder with the 4 week olds...and I should have, I guess. When I put the first baby in there, all the older chicks thought it was a snack! They kept trying to peck the poor little baby, even after I popped their beaks with my finger and shooed them away. So now I have them in a separate brooder...had to put mini plastic soda bottles filled with hot water in there until I got back from the store with a new heat lamp (I only had one).

Is there anything I can do to keep all the chicks together? I was told that it's best to get them used to each other now, so when the new babies go out to the flock when it's time, that there won't be too much trouble with integration, since they will have spent about two weeks together. But if I have to keep the babies in a separate brooder, how am I supposed to get them used to each other? Is it possible to keep day old chicks and four week old chicks together? TYIA.

 

[Keltara]

The older chicks have already established their own pecking order. They are being territorial and viewing the new babies as intruders. You will need to brood them separately or the other will try to kill them. Please be careful. Good luck!

Kelly

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Our Country Chronicles

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[MontanaDolphin]

Ok, separate brooder they stay. Darnit. How do I get them used to each other when it's time for the new babies to go outside with the older babies????

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

You could section off a bit of your coop with chicken wire ir hardware clothe for the newest additions. Leave them in there for a couple of weeks so they get used to each other, then let them all out together and supervise to make sure everyone is ok. Expect some pecking, that's normal. I only intervene if there's serious fighting- like blood being shed. If they've had those couple of weeks to get used to each other they should work things out pretty quickly though

 

[travifive]

I have a rabbit cage that I put the new chicken in and put it with the others. If you watch as the others get close you will be able to tell when its safe to let the new bird out. At first mine get close to the cage and they will throw up their neck feathers. After they get used to them you will notice them pecking and scratching right next to the cage without giving each other a second glance. When they start that I plan to put them together that night after they go to roost. I've heard sometimes it takes as long as a couple weeks but mine have always been cordial after 2 or 3 days. I guess I was just lucky. I like to keep the cage open and available even after integrating just so the new one has a safe place to run in case things get out of hand.

oh yeah, and move the cage into the coop at night with the others so they are forced to realize that it's a part of the flock. Good Luck!

 

[leemamahen]

I bought five two day olds and put them in the same brooder with my three week old but separated them by sliding a window screen in between. I have the heat lamp over my new chicks but pointing a little towards the screen so the bigger girls can still take advantage of the heat. They have been in this setup for over a week now and everyone seems happy. Not sure if you can really tell by this picture but you might get the idea.