Can I put new baby chicks with 5 to 6 weeks olds?

carriemacf

In the Brooder
5 Years
Mar 10, 2014
44
2
26
Rural Southwest Kentucky
This is my first flock...I bought 12 barred rocks, and lost three in the first week (one was DOA)...the remaining birds are healthy and thriving. The hatchery replaces the loss, so I am going to add another three to make up for the ones I lost. My question is, can I add the brand new chicks to the 5 to 6 week old chicks? What are the pros/cons?
If I can't add them now, when do I make the new chicks a part of the flock?
Since they are still so young, I am hoping I can mix them - but since I am a rookie, I will rely on the advice and expertise of the people here who have been doing this far longer than me :)
 
Mine like to be too rough with the babies. Mine are about 9-10 weeks and drag the babies around by their feet. I have my little ones in the brooder. When the babies get bigger then try!
 
This is my first flock...I bought 12 barred rocks, and lost three in the first week (one was DOA)...the remaining birds are healthy and thriving. The hatchery replaces the loss, so I am going to add another three to make up for the ones I lost. My question is, can I add the brand new chicks to the 5 to 6 week old chicks? What are the pros/cons?
If I can't add them now, when do I make the new chicks a part of the flock?
Since they are still so young, I am hoping I can mix them - but since I am a rookie, I will rely on the advice and expertise of the people here who have been doing this far longer than me :)

Please don't put them together until the newborns are 5 or 6 weeks old. For one thing their need for heat is a lot different. Babies need 95 degrees the first week which is too hot for fully feathered young chickens. And babies sleep a lot which probably won't be possible with active 5 and 6 week old chicks. You're also risking the newborns being seriously hurt or killed. It's best to keep them separate until the newborns are big enough to get away from the older ones.
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