I got a issue wanting to mix multiple age chicks together

[Barnard barn yard 77]

We bought some eggs different times chicks will range 2 weeks apart up to 8 weeks apart iv been ordering different ones off ebay same breed different genetics and with timing and all they will be different age wondering best way to put them together a way that is realistic

 

[GodLovesU]

I’ve kept chickens who were approximately 5-6 weeks apart in the same brooder,with minimal problems.

 

[Barnard barn yard 77]

I’ve kept chickens who were approximately 5-6 weeks apart in the same brooder,with minimal problems.

 

[Yardmom]

How old are the chicks currently? It can be done at any stage, but may require a different approach if they are mostly grown or are at different sizes.

 

[Barnard barn yard 77]

Some 3 weeks old some 2 weeks some being born tonight some being born six days some coming in mail next week then incubating 21days lol

 

[Yardmom]

You are working with chicks who all need heat and will have a huge size differences between the 3 week age and newly hatched. As your oldest grow even larger the new hatches will be even more at risk of being trampled, pecked, and pushed away from the food.
I am more familiar with adding chicks to mature flocks, but here are my thoughts on what I would do. I would not put all the chicks together. I would put the 2 and 3 week old chicks together. It will depend on their personalities on whether you need to divide with hardware cloth or other see no touch barrier for a week. Some will still be rough after that. I would keep younger chicks in a brooder of their own age group until about 2 weeks. Then add them to the big chick pen. The big chick pen needs to have multiple heat stations, multiple cool places, as well as plenty of eating and watering places. This of course requires lots of room such as the coop they will live in when grown.

 

[Eggcessive]

Chicks need heat about 90 degrees F the first week of life, and it decreases 5 degrees every week until they are fully feathered. A day old chick will need more heat than a 2, 3, or 4 week old chick. Also, a 2 week old will be huge next to a day old, and could hurt them. I have kept chicks together that were 2 weeks apart including bantams and full size, but use caution. Also plan on a very large brooder. They double or triple in size week to week, and you will need way more room than you think. Mixing ages and having used bedding can also increase the likelihood of young chicks being exposed to more coccidia organisms at a young age. I might split them into 2 groups and brooders, or move the older group out when the next group needs the brooder. Also change all of the bedding between groups.

 

[Barnard barn yard 77]

I appreciate all the info I have a coupe I'm finishing that is 12x12 will have 3 heat lamps and won't add chicks till they are least 4 weeks

 

[Eggcessive]

Once they are fully feathered around 6-7 weeks old, they don’t need heat. Make sure they have good overhead ventilation but no direct wind or drafts on them. Good luck with your chicks.

 

[Barnard barn yard 77]

Ya probably gonna to keep heat as option for them this winter being that they are very small