Introducing a new chick to 6 wk olds

[paynemom]

Would introducing one or two baby chicks to 6 wk olds be dangerous? Would they peck it? There are only 3 6-weekers and I was thinking of adding 2 new babies? What do you chicken specialists think?

 

[Pinenot]

I think I would wait until they have a fair shot at protecting themselves.

 

[Featherland]

I'm sure they would peck at them. I would keep them separate but keep them where they can see each other. That's not too big of an age disparity but little ones can get picked on. Eventually you can try putting them together with supervision. I had some that were 5 weeks apart that I put together but I waited until the little ones were 3 weeks. The breed and personality of the chicks can make a difference too since some are more aggressive.

 

[Tuffoldhen]

I agree it's not a good idea...I think it's too big of an age difference......older chicks vicious to day olds...

 

[paynemom]

Thanks for the help. Hopefully, being in close proximity but still separated will help them "bond" so they don't kill eachother. I will have to keep the new chicks inside a while anyway so by the time they go outside permanantly, they will be much bigger. Thanks!