Fresh chicks with 5-week olds

[ChrisDPT]

I've got some five-week old chicks that I'm currently going through the "look but don't touch" phase with so that I can eventually let them free ranged with my hens. I'm considering picking up some fresh chicks. Would I be safe letting the 5-week old chicks around the fresh chicks when they're inside, or is that size difference too great?

Appreciate any advice or input,

- Chris

 

[sourland]

If by 'fresh chicks' you mean day olds, I would not put them with the 5 weeks old chicks. Trampling and inadvertent smothering might happen.

 

[nuthatched]

X2
If they're older chicks, complete quarantine for a month before adding them

 

[ChrisDPT]

If by 'fresh chicks' you mean day olds, I would not put them with the 5 weeks old chicks. Trampling and inadvertent smothering might happen.

I appreciate the input.

 

[kattabelly]

How many will you have of each age? Day olds are too young, but they'll potentially be fine at under a week old if they have somewhere safe to get away from the bigger chicks when necessary. It'll probably be easier if the smaller ones outnumber the bigger ones, or at least aren't massively outnumbered themselves.