Combining chicks in the big brooder at mixed ages

[tworedwellies]

hi all! *new chicken owner*

We currently have 4 almost 5-week old Silkies inside in our bigger brooder space (dog kennel), but we just got 2 more baby chicks (barred rock & speckled sussex) this past Friday that I have in a small brooder at the moment. I was going to give them a week to get settled in, but was considering putting them in a section of the big brooder, so they can all get used to each other early on. Would that be okay to do with them at 1 week old, or should I keep them separate for longer? The older ones will be moved outdoors in 2-3 weeks... thanks!

 

[NatJ]

Dividing the big brooder, so the chicks can see each other but not share each others' space, is fine. I would do that as soon as possible, rather than waiting a week.

When the new ones have been there for a day or two, they will probably be pretty well settled in: eating and drinking and running around between naps.

At that point, even though they will still be less than a week old, I would probably try putting the older and younger chicks together and watch what happens. If it doesn't work, you can divide them again and try again in a week or so.

Since the older ones are Silkies, and the younger ones are larger breeds, I think there is a good chance you can combine them at a young age. It is generally easier to combine young chicks and harder to combine older chicks, based on how they act at what ages.

 

[Livia Ammon]

A word of caution: leave your chicks enough room in the big brooder to be in the heat source you have and to be out of it. When I was very new at chickens, I didn't give the chicks enough space outside of the heat lamp I set up, and they passed away from heat exhaustion.

 

[tworedwellies]

Dividing the big brooder, so the chicks can see each other but not share each others' space, is fine. I would do that as soon as possible, rather than waiting a week.

When the new ones have been there for a day or two, they will probably be pretty well settled in: eating and drinking and running around between naps.

At that point, even though they will still be less than a week old, I would probably try putting the older and younger chicks together and watch what happens. If it doesn't work, you can divide them again and try again in a week or so.

Since the older ones are Silkies, and the younger ones are larger breeds, I think there is a good chance you can combine them at a young age. It is generally easier to combine young chicks and harder to combine older chicks, based on how they act at what ages.

Okay great, I'll go ahead and get it all setup then, thank you!!

 

[tworedwellies]

A word of caution: leave your chicks enough room in the big brooder to be in the heat source you have and to be out of it. When I was very new at chickens, I didn't give the chicks enough space outside of the heat lamp I set up, and they passed away from heat exhaustion.

Oh so sorry that happened to you! Thanks for the tip!!

 

[Livia Ammon]

Oh so sorry that happened to you! Thanks for the tip!!

Anytime! I don't want others to repeat my mistakes.

 

[C Siena]

A word of caution: leave your chicks enough room in the big brooder to be in the heat source you have and to be out of it. When I was very new at chickens, I didn't give the chicks enough space outside of the heat lamp I set up, and they passed away from heat exhaustion.

Sorry for your loss of the chicks. In reading much on this site and watching a broody with her chicks, I saw that the chicks would leave mamma often to scurry about investigation and playing. They were outside with her on warm dry days for exposure. I remembered that. As I purchased 6 chicks, 5 wks old tomorrow, I decided to begin about 90-95 for a couple of days on one end, then after 3 days (chicks 6 days old) not seeing them clustered at the warmest spot, and playing away from the heat, I raised the lamp and the warmest temp was about 86-87.5, still most were sleeping/napping away from the warmest area. I just watched their behavior. The chicks (15) we just hatched are mostly 9 days old and now want nothing to do with 85. All but a couple are probably in the 80-82 degree area. By the book will tell you that at this age, they "need" 85-90. I will not lower the temp for several days as they are still mostly fluff with some wing feathers, and they can go to the cooler end (44"L brooder/large rubbermaid tote).
Again so sorry for your loss but thank you for posting so others may learn.

 

[Debbie292d]

I have mixed silkies at about that age difference, but I would let the younger ones get about 5 days to a week old so they can run faster. They all got along, but the littler ones can get trampled. In your case, you're adding bigger breed chicks to slower-growing ones, so they'll be the same size in no time!

 

[tworedwellies]

I have mixed silkies at about that age difference, but I would let the younger ones get about 5 days to a week old so they can run faster. They all got along, but the littler ones can get trampled. In your case, you're adding bigger breed chicks to slower-growing ones, so they'll be the same size in no time

Yup, fair enough!! I did put them in very temporarily to have a meet & greet with the bigger girls and they were immediately trampled on and one of the Silkies grabbed one of the baby's legs... very mean!

So I have separated their spaces in the same dog kennel brooder, so they can get used to each other first! (The Silkies will be the picked on ones in no time (ha!...but also hopefully not)).

 

[redinator]

Okay great, I'll go ahead and get it all setup then, thank you!!

I wanted to add a note since you mentioned moving the older chicks outside at 2-3 weeks . . . once they're integrated they should stay together so keep that in mind when you're deciding if you have the space to keep all chicks in the brooder until the youngest are ready to go outside.