Baby chicks with older chicks

[Chickidee26]

I currently have 5 chicks in my brooder that are just over a week old. I have some more eggs I just put in the incubator (chicken math!!!) When those eggs hatch the other 5 will be almost 5 weeks old. At what point will I be able to combine them? I already figured I'd keep the newbies separate for a few days until they can walk normal and get adjusted to their surroundings...but for how long is that necessary and will the older ones pick on the babies?

 

[SamuelMcF]

I would wait a week or so and once they are hardy and doing well try putting them together (under very close supervision.) At 5 or 6 weeks the older ones are going to be much bigger and likely to pick on the little ones so it will depend a little on chicks. I have mixed ages before though without any issues you just have to make sure they aren't getting picked on. Make sure you have a couple different feeders/waterers too so the big ones can't hog all the food. Worse comes to worst you separate your brooder with some chicken wire if possible until they get used to each other.