Adding Newborns with 1 week olds?

[Wintersun]

I'm new to raising chicken and very excited about it. I ordered 10 chicks (barred rock, NH Red, Buff Orpingtons and Araucana). All but the Buff hatched on time and I got them last week. The Buff were 1 week late. I was told that they'd be fine in the same brooder as the 8 one week olds but the second I put them in, a Barred Rock made a bee line and pecked away at the babies and of course, the others followed. I separated the Buffs and set them up in their own brooder (see through plastic so both sets of chicks can see eachother). Do you think I'll be able to combine them as the Buffs get a little older? Is there a good way to socialize them into the larger group? It broke my heart to see them so picked on.

Appreciate any advice.

 

[sumi]

Wait until the newborns are a bit stronger, maybe another day or 2. Then try again. It'll also help if you can distract them a bit with treats maybe. I have successfully integrated chicks of different ages before. They are a bit suspicious of newcomers at first, but they'll settle down quick.

 

[Erica]

Wait until the newborns are a bit stronger, maybe another day or 2. Then try again. It'll also help if you can distract them a bit with treats maybe. I have successfully integrated chicks of different ages before. They are a bit suspicious of newcomers at first, but they'll settle down quick.

x 2
I'd also put the bigger birds in the little ones' brooder and not the other way around (so the bigger birds are less territorial to start with). I wouldn't do this until the babies are about a week old so they have some chance.

cheers
Erica

 

[Wintersun]

Thank you both. I did just what you suggested tonight. I put a few of the larger birds in the small birds brooder and let them get used to eachother. Then I moved them all to the larger brooder and all is well. The original bully pecked a bit but the babies were able to manage and the bully lost interest. Thanks so much. Looking forward to reading the great advice this site/forum has to offer.