Can I put chicks less than a week old with my four week old chicks?

[jkzimm04]

I have chicks that will be roughly four weeks old next week. I am going to be getting 2 chicks next week that are a few days old. Is it okay to put them together? I don't want the bigger ones picking on the little ones! Any advice on a smooth transition?

 

[teach1rusl]

I wouldn't risk it. Since the bigger birds don't need nearly as much heat, I'd put a wire divider up w/the lamp focused on the little chick side. Of course that means two feeders/two waterers.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Right now the 3.5 week difference in age means a lot. In the weeks to come it will matter less. It's like the difference between a newborn and a toddler. Right now you wouldn't put them in the same Sunday School class, but you could have 3- and 5-year-old children together.

Keep the lil' ones in a separate brooder box for a few weeks, until they gain some strength & sturdiness, and get some growth. Gradually you can introduce them to the older chicks in the weeks to follow. Start with cages/pens side-by-side. Then put them together with close supervision, while giving them all treats. If they seem to be getting along, then you can begin to keep them together.

 

[jkzimm04]

Thanks for the advice. This is my first time raising chickens and I want to make sure that I do it right!!!

 

[zengrrl]

I have a mix in sizes and ages right now. Probably 5 weeks and 3 weeks? But if I were to add more...lets just say IF I WERE TO GO TO TSC AND GET MORE, I think it'd be a good idea to have them seperate.

 

[BarefootMom]

I wouldn't.

I just brought home 9 silkie/cochin chicks tonight. The size difference is just crazy between them and my 1 and 2 week old chicks so I put them in their own seperate brooder---I have 5 heat lamps going right now...

 

[jkzimm04]

So if you don't mind me asking, how did they get mixed? Or maybe I should say, when were they introduced to each other?

 

[nanawendy]

I go by size and activity level. Sometimes one might have a runt that needs protection. But less than a week Noooooo

 

[Judy]

The safest way to add new chickens is when they are all the same size. Read here:

https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=2593-adding-to-your-flock