Chicks seperation anxiety

[Laylaloveschickens]

I have 2 new week old silkies who have been in a brooder box with two 5 week old bantam pekins. So cute together, instantly the pekins mothered them. So time for the pekins to have some toddler time in a bigger playpen. Even though it’s only for a few hours a day the silkies freak out without them and chirp constantly until they are reunited. Any advice for seperation anxiety the brooder box has the warming lamp to sleep under so they are ok in that regard when alone but they are too little to be in the bigger 2x2 metre grassed toddler pen. Thank you.

 

[Altfrizzle]

I had two batches of chicks (2 in one and 3 in the other) that were two weeks apart in age and I kept the bigger ones in longer to keep the littles happy.

 

[SueT]

I would try to find a way for them to be together. The olders might not accept them later If there's a period of separation.

 

[igorsMistress]

Let the silkies out too, they'll love it!

 

[chickens really]

I would also let them out with the others...They will love the fresh air and being out to scratch around...

 

[sourland]

Normal behavior for chicks to want to be with the rest of their 'flock'. I'd let them out with the larger chicks. They are not going to run away. Understand that immature birds are especially vulnerable to hawk attack.

 

[Laylaloveschickens]

Thank you everyone the toddler pen is fully enclosed including a roof in case of predators. I will just need to run some smaller chicken wire around some parts to avoid escape. I tested it this morning and here is a pic of all my flock with the bubbas in the play pen part. The chicks did love it. I will just do it in small times supervised as no heat lamp in here and the others are still small enough to no be able to nestle as good as they could. Thanks again everyone

 

[SueT]

They look very content!

 

[chickens really]

Happy little peepers ....

 

[drumstick diva]

Understand also that silkies are usually sitting ducks for predators