blending different aged keets

[alwayswantedchicks]

I have 9 keets that are now almost 5 weeks old. They are in the brooder that is inside the chicken yard. The hens can't get to them (wire fencing) but can see them and vice versa. I also have the second batch of keets (most of the first batch died soon after receiving them) which are doing just great. They are almost 3 weeks old. Is that too much of an age difference to blend them together in the chicken yard brooder?
I'm also thinking of letting one of the older keets out in the chicken yard with the hens with supervision to see what happens. Should I or shouldn't I? Also I have 21 laying hens, 6 Black Australorps and 15 sex-links (reds and whites). They are young 19 weeks but all but one are laying.

 

[Debbienmousey]

The 5 week old and 3 week old keets should do fine with each other. I have 2 7 week old keets living with 2 4 week old keets. They are best buds and even share a brooder with 2 6 week old chicks.

As for putting the(a) keets in with your laying hens, I wouldn't suggest doing that. Not even under supervision. I have 7 12 week old keets which share their pen with 7 16 week old chicks and the chicks bully the keets. The chicks will peck at the guineas sometimes while they eat together. It isn't very serious pecking, and we do have 2 feed pans so I know the keets are getting plenty of food. But..5 week olds with 19 week olds is just too big of an age range for me..Now, if you have a very gentle hen(But not too low on the pecking order) you could put her in with the keets and see how they do. If they bond together it will probably make it easier for the keets to enter the flock.

Good luck!