different age chicks?

[victor1800]

We have 3 chicks that are 1 week old and another 2 that are 4 weeks old, how old do you think we should let the 3 younger chicks get before we put them all together? We have hatched them ourselves and dont want to see any fighting or least try to limit it. Oh yeah and they are all plymouth barred rocks.

 

[JulieNKC]

I have chicks from 3 days to 4 weeks all in the same brooder right now. As long as it's warm enough they don't crowd and enough spots for food and water not to fight I think they should be fine going together now. Just watch them the first few days to make sure no one is getting picked on. I think it's easier to put them together now then to try to integrate them once they are older.

 

[victor1800]

Yes thats what I was thinking but when I look at the size difference between our young chicks, it makes me wonder if they might get pummeled or even hurt real bad!

 

[duckking]

We're going to try and integrate three 2 week olds, with however many hatch (3/7?)

2-3 day olds (I'm going to keep them separate until they get their feet) and then we have another 3 day-olds

coming a week after that, which means the oldest will be 3 weeks. I've heard different stories, so we're going to keep our fingers crossed and make sure they have LOT'S of room with appropriate heat distribution and feeding and watering areas. If it doesn't work, we'll separate them so they can all see each other, but not actually together. I want them all friends, because I want to integrate them into an established flock once they are old enough (about 12-15 weeks).

Give it a try, just have contingency plans if it doesn't work! Good Luck!

 

[victor1800]

Thats what we are going to do this weekend,when we are home pretty much all day to monitor the action

 

[shellyga]

I have intergrated chicks of various ages with great success. When I am getting ready to combine two or more groups.. (just make sure your brooder for the combined group is big enough.) I will take all of the chicks out to clean the brooder - letting the two ages "play together" - usually on the floor or a huge box. Once the brooder is cleaned.. I add a full food/water as usual.. just place it differently. When I add everyone back in, by the time everything is settled, they don't realize they have new members of the group. This has worked well.

Shelly