Chicks of different ages in same coop/run

[amyquilt]

I have 3 Silkies that are +/- 10 weeks old. I also have 5 BO that are are +/- 4 weeks old.

My question is on moving the Silkies to layer feed. Since they are all in together, how do I do this? Is it ok to mix starter and layer and all of the chicks eat the mix?? Will it hurt the BO to get the layer feed so young??

I plan to build another coop for the BO, but not certain when I'll get it done.

TIA

 

[2manyhats]

The silkies don't need to be on layer for about 10 more weeks. I would be more worried about pecking with the two different ages. I have found that when I put some younger birds in a cage in the coop for a week and then I let them out into the coop, the older chicks didn't attack. They were used to having them around. I still watched closely for bullying.

 

[amyquilt]

They've been together for 2 weeks and are doing fine together. The first couple of days, the Silkies kinda "shunned" the BO, but that only lasted a short time and they all do well together.