Can I mix different age chicks?

[poupoule]

Hi all,

One of my hens had 3 chicks two weeks ago. They are so cute!!!

I partionned my coop and set up a little nursery in one side, where momma hen and her 3 babies are staying. The rest of the coop has a rooster, a silkie and a point of lay black hen (quite big). I am waiting for this one to start laying and then she will move to my "big breed coop".
Now I have another hen sitting and the chicks are due to hatch by the end of this week end. Can I put her and her new to come chicks in the nursery with the other momma hen and her 3 two-weeks-old chicks? Or is it better to put her in the nursery alone? But then the momma and her 3 babies will be mixed with the rooster and his 2 wifes!
This is my first time hatching babies (a lot easier than giving birth

) and I wouldn't mind your advice. Thanks.

 

[neferset]

I wouldn't mix two mothers ever again. The one time I did that, the more passive mother and her babies were traumatized. Chicks alone, I can usually get away with mixing day olds to 2 weeks, but usually only if I have a staggered hatch with every age in between.

 

[poupoule]

So do you think the bantam hen and her 3 chicks will be allright with the rest of the coop? I suppose the hen will protect her chicks, won't she? And later, would I be able to mix them all once the momma hens forget about their chicks (I think it is when the chicks are about 6 weeks old?

 

[kathyinmo]

I have heard that one mother hen will kill the other chicks that are not hers.

 

[LauraSBale]

I have had 3 hens go broody this summer, at different times, and i just left them with group, mom takes care of them, and another hen helps the moms with the baby's, and the other chickens don't bother them, i haven't any issues all 3 times with other chickens hurting the baby's.