Integrating 3 week and 5 week chicks?

[carlaashdown]

Okay to do? I read you should integrate chicks groups by 4 weeks, but I couldn’t. I would have integrated them sooner, but one of the chicks in the youngest group was super tiny at first. I’m assuming bantam. She’s bigger and is growing, feathering, and behaving normally, but still small for almost 3 weeks old.

The smaller ones are outgrowing the brooder in have them in, and I’m wanting to integrate them with the older chicks tomorrow.

older group is almost 5 weeks
younger group is almost 3 weeks,

 

[rosemarythyme]

Have they been able to see each other this whole time? If not, I'd put them in the same area with a wire divider wall so they can get used to each other with the safety of the wall, and then in a couple of days or whenever you have time to supervise you should be able to take down the wall. Young chicks should get along without much issue, but being able to supervise for any potential issues is best.

 

[azygous]

Here's what I would do. Put them all together, but stay close and watch.

Be sure there is plenty of space for the smalls to outrun the bigs. You may see a little pecking as a means to "investigate" the new strange chicks, but watch for any attempts at anything more than curiosity.

If these two groups are compatible, you shouldn't need to do any more than peck the back with your finger any older chick that is overly aggressive toward a smaller one.

You can only try it and see what happens. You'll find out soon enough if it isn't going to work.

If it doesn't, then the best alternative is to raise them separately but within proximity to one another.