How to Incorporate Smaller Chicks before Larger are 10 Weeks?

[Jewels82]

We unfortunately staggered our chick purchases this Spring and have an age gap between the larger chicks and the smaller chicks.

The ones that are already outside are just over 7 weeks and the one's inside range from 2 weeks and almost 4 weeks. The unfortunate thing is that we got silkies and they are in the two week old group and one in particular is significantly smaller than the rest.

I read that chicks establish their flock by week 10 so I'm trying to determine the best timing for incorporating the rest. I've also been feeding the smaller chicks scrambled eggs to try to help their growth along.

When do you guys think I should try incorporating the two groups? And any thoughts on how else I might be able to help the smaller ones grow faster? Thanks so much!

 

[azygous]

When raising staggered aged baby chicks, it's best to brood them in proximity to one another so they grow to form a flock. The rule is that chicks from age one day to three weeks can be brooded together. Any chicks older than four weeks should be kept separate but within view of the others.

When they are all somewhat the same size, you can put them all together. However, bantams and especially Silkies may be too small and docile to be able to stand up to a flock of standard chickens. Care needs to be taken until you are certain the smaller ones aren't going to be picked on.

 

[First time Chick mom]

I'm kind of in a similar boat, great question, great advice. Mine are 15 weeks and 10 weeks.