? For people with staggered hatches?

[flgardengirl]

I am wondering what people who have close staggered hatches are doing with the chicks? Is it okay to put them together if they are say a week and a half apart? Any other ideas?

 

[Katy]

I keep them in seperate brooders until the newest hatched ones have a chance to figure out eating and drinking, then after a few days if they're no more than a week or so apart I combine them.

 

[quailbrain]

I have a stage system set up for brooders. Youngest , feathering, teen, adult and just work them through as they age. I don't like mixing the ages much.

 

[MagsC]

Like Katy, if they are no more than a week apart, I havent had any problem integrating them once they kind of get on their feet with the eating/drinking. More than that, in my opinion, I wouldnt do it.

 

[fancbrd4me02]

Quote:
I do what she said.

 

[Barred Rocker]

I agree. I had a batch of BO's last year that hatched 5 days after my BR's. I tried putting them together right after they all fluffed up but the BR's wanted to peck at the new guys and all they wanted to do was rest up after all the work they did hatching. So I'd give em a day or two.

 

[lildinkem]

I try to have a number of eggs ready to go in at one time. But, I do put one week oles with two week oles. Seem to be okay when their that close in age and that young

 

[flgardengirl]

Thanks for your suggestions. I think I will put a divider in the brooder and add another heat lamp. It is a large brooder so I will wait 2 or 3 days for the little ones and add them to the bigger ones and make sure I watch them for awhile. The next (3rd) batch will be due on the 28th so I will prob have to get a new brooder for that batch.