California - Northern

[ronott1]

in your experience is a 3 week difference in age between chicks in a brooder a big deal? Do the babies get trampled?

It depends on what you are mixing together for both temperament and size. If a small breed is three weeks older than a big breed like marans then they are usually fine.

It would not be a good idea to put day old chicks in with three week old chicks though. The little ones need a couple of days of development to be able to get out of the way of the older ones.

 

[BCollie]

in your experience is a 3 week difference in age between chicks in a brooder a big deal? Do the babies get trampled?

It depends on what you are mixing together for both temperament and size. If a small breed is three weeks older than a big breed like marans then they are usually fine.

It would not be a good idea to put day old chicks in with three week old chicks though. The little ones need a couple of days of development to be able to get out of the way of the older ones.

Thanks, your last point is basically what I was asking.
Guess I have to wait to hatch then Jeff won't have 1/2 of my eggs for at least another week, I was hoping to get the other 1/2 before then but not if they can't be in the brooder together when the second batch hatches.

 

[tommysgirl]

Thanks, your last point is basically what I was asking.
Guess I have to wait to hatch then

Jeff won't have 1/2 of my eggs for at least another week, I was hoping to get the other 1/2 before then but not if they can't be in the brooder together when the second batch hatches.

All you really need for a brooder is a box and a heat source and something for the bottom. I would think that you could have a stand in brooder that will give the tiny ones a bit of time to get coordinated, figure out how to eat and drink and then put them in the larger brooder after a week or so keeping an eye out of course for any problems.

 

[SpringPeeper]

Ugh, that feeling when you've made an offer on some birds and are waiting for an answer on whether they're yours or not.

 

[caychris]

All you really need for a brooder is a box and a heat source and something for the bottom. I would think that you could have a stand in brooder that will give the tiny ones a bit of time to get coordinated, figure out how to eat and drink and then put them in the larger brooder after a week or so keeping an eye out of course for any problems.

Yeah we had two 3 week old buff orps when we got 4 day olds. It took about another 3 weeks to get everyone into a single brooder and everyone comfortable with each other. then about then the older buffs went outside at about 10-12 weeks and the process started over again with the buffs integrating with the Delawares in the main coop several weeks of supervised visits and I transitioned them to the coop at night after that things were much better but it was the older buffs who picked on the younger ones when they started spending time in the run. The Delawares who were very close to laying didnt seem bothered at all by the new buffs. A few pecks but no chasing.

 

[ronott1]

Thanks, your last point is basically what I was asking.
Guess I have to wait to hatch then

Jeff won't have 1/2 of my eggs for at least another week, I was hoping to get the other 1/2 before then but not if they can't be in the brooder together when the second batch hatches.

All you really need for a brooder is a box and a heat source and something for the bottom. I would think that you could have a stand in brooder that will give the tiny ones a bit of time to get coordinated, figure out how to eat and drink and then put them in the larger brooder after a week or so keeping an eye out of course for any problems.

Yes this. You can also put in a divider to keep them apart for a little while. Then like Chris said, work on integrating them. You can do it!

 

[ronott1]

Ugh, that feeling when you've made an offer on some birds and are waiting for an answer on whether they're yours or not.

Happy thoughts!

 

[Happy Chooks]

in your experience is a 3 week difference in age between chicks in a brooder a big deal? Do the babies get trampled?

I've done it without any problems. Is it ideal? Of course not. The benefit is the older ones teach the younger ones eating and drinking.

The little ones need a couple of days of development to be able to get out of the way of the older ones.

Definitely! Don't put fresh hatched chicks in with 3 week old birds.

 

[SpringPeeper]

Happy thoughts!

Thanks!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Congratulations to Kim (@capayvalleychick )! Walt posted on another thread that she won at the Heirloom Expo.

Quote:
Congratulations on the win!!!!