chick housing?

[abelseville]

I have two groups of baby chicks born a week apart and another batch coming which will be another week younger. Can I throw them all in together with this age difference? Does anyone have experience with this situation? - This chicken addiction is getting complicated!

 

[ranchhand]

It does get complicated!

I have mixed week old with 2 week old before and it was fine. But I watched them closely to make sure no bullying occurred.

If he newest batch is day olds, I'd keep them separate for a few days, maybe just a screen or divider so they can all get used to each other. That will give the newest a chance to get their legs, so to speak. I use an old oven rack as a brooder separator.

 

[abelseville]

Thanks for the info. I am planning to keep the day olds separate for about a week. That's about when they start getting out of the 50 gallon tub Im using and fly around the house!

 

[Kiwibird]

I have chicks together that hatched a fortnight apart, but it depends on the breed. Docile breeds combine ok, but if you have a more aggressive breed, don't combine unless they are the youngest. I started with Pekins (hatched first) together with Shaver crosses hatched a week later. I could not add the Polish that hatched the following week as the Shaver crosses picked on them. After I sold the Shaver crosses, the Pekins were very happy to befriend the Polish.