Combining two ages of broilers in one tractor?

[rogershmstd]

I am raising small batches of meat birds this summer and am wondering if it would be a problem to have different age broilers in the tractor. They will be brooded (separately) until 3 weeks, then move out into a hoop style tractor measuring 9'x9'. The first batch of 25 broilers would be 5 wks old when the second batch (of 25 3wk old) moves in, and the first batch will be taken out and butchered at 8wks. When I pull out the 8wk old birds, I would move in another batch of 25 3wk old broilers. At most there will be 50 birds in the tractor at once, which isn't too crowded, but there will be 5-6wk old broilers with 3wk old broilers. Would that be a problem? I was originally planning on running 2 tractors, but I'd love to save the costs/trouble of building and servicing two tractors. Given plenty of feeder space and adequate water, do you think it would be problem?

This isn't my first time raising meat birds, so I have a pretty solid idea of what it'll be like. I'm most concerned the older ones will be aggressive with the younger ones. I want to make sure they get to eat and there's no cannibalism. Thanks for your insight!

 

[rogershmstd]

Anyone? I'd love to hear any thoughts/opinions people have...

 

[pipemum]

I raise super small batches of CX, like, 10 at a time. I haven't seen any aggression towards littler ones, but I have seen the big ones get so excited over food that they run over and jump on little ones to get their feed. The smaller chicks I have are dual-purpose, so they are pretty hardy and no injuries from getting trampled. But 25 big ones, 25 smaller CX in a fairly small area with CX more prone to leg injuries anyway...that's the only thing I can see happening. Accidental trampling injuries.

 

[rogershmstd]

Thanks pipemum. I'm trying a heritage breed this year, so hopefully the leg issues won't be so prevalent. I might just try combining them to start and separate them if there are any issues. I appreciate your input!!