different breeds in a brooder?

[thepremo1]

im getting 4 isa browns, EE and and a couple barred rocks, do i need to keep them separated or can they all be in the brooder at the same time?
what if they are a couple of weeks apart?
and how long untill i put them in a different pen??????

 

[gritsar]

Different breeds can go together in the same brooder. Different ages might be a problem depending on how far apart in age they are.

 

[catdaddy66]

Generally all can be brooded together if not to disparate in age, but if one group has established their pecking order, introducing new birds will cause a lot of stress to every bird! Pecking orders are designed to minimze stress on any flock, so introducing new birds shakes things up though not in a good way...

You can look to move the chicks to new diggs at 4 weeks and up generally speaking. This depends on several factors of which the weather is a large one (specifically temperature). Most birds can go outside after they have completely feathered out. This varies greatly so you might want to research your breeds.

Oh, I almost forgot...

 

[KatieH]

If they're all standards and approximately the same age, it's fine. Most of the people I know won't mix bantams and standards, though.

 

[Trout]

I've got Barred Rocks, Ameraucanas and Cornish X all together and I don't seem to be having any problems with them getting along together, even thought the Cornish X are definitely already larger than the others. having a little trouble with one of the Cornish X, but he seems to be inflicting it on himself. I haven't seen the others pecking each other at all. They definitely seem to already have three distinct personalities, though.

I gave them a few toys to peck at and keep them occupied, as well, so that might be helping.