Introducing chicks at different ages

[dagnabbit]

After some failure to thrive, we have 3 remaining that are 6 days old. We are wondering whether to keep going with only these 3 until they can move to the coop or introduce some more chicks to bring the numbers back up.

Would the 3 older ones accept some 1-2 day old chicks? Or would we be better off focusing on the ones we have?

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Would the 3 older ones accept some 1-2 day old chicks? Or would we be better off focusing on the ones we have?

It's almost always better to focus on what you have.

That being said.. chicks can easily be intigrted up to about 3 weeks without much pecking order issues.. ONCE the day or two old chicks have their land legs under them and are strong enough to not be trampled.

6 days apart is very easily doable.

If you need higher numbers now then add more.. otherwise, maybe add in a few fresh layers (chicks) NEXT year to keep egg production up when these go into molt and stop laying.

Hope these continue to thrive!

 

[akf93]

I had so much success doing this last year as a first year bird keeper. I had several little batches I intermingled in the early weeks. I actually prefer it this way because it’s less work to integrate. When they’re little, they don’t care about newbies, from my minimal experience. And when you integrate them with your older birds, it’s a one time deal.

 

[AmyA248]

After some failure to thrive, we have 3 remaining that are 6 days old. We are wondering whether to keep going with only these 3 until they can move to the coop or introduce some more chicks to bring the numbers back up.

Would the 3 older ones accept some 1-2 day old chicks? Or would we be better off focusing on the ones we have?

I was wondering the same thing. I have 3 week old chicks and 5 ready to hatch.
I was also going to inquire about the same thing.
Their brooder box is currently in our kitchen and I’d rather not have another one.

 

[NatJ]

I was wondering the same thing. I have 3 week old chicks and 5 ready to hatch.
I was also going to inquire about the same thing.
Their brooder box is currently in our kitchen and I’d rather not have another one.

In your case, I think you should plan on a separate brooder box for the newly-hatched chicks for the first few days. In the very first day or two the newly hatched chicks are very clumsy and also take very frequent naps, so they are in more danger of being trampled by older chicks that are more energetic. After the younger ones are running around easily (no longer tripping on their feet), it will probably be fine to combine them. That usually happens in just a few days, well under a week.

 

[dagnabbit]

Thank you for the advice, all!

 

[junior67]

glad I found this! I have chicks that will hatch March 17. most are shipped eggs. there were a couple breeds that the eggs either didn't do as good (1/3) and one that I only got 1 egg for that breed and it didn't develop. I am setting eggs for someone else on March 19 to hatch on Easter and was debating on ordering more eggs to add in with his. My problem was I brood inside for about the first 3-7 days then brood outside in my coop. I don't have another brooder and was hoping to add in the younger ones with the older ones after a few days but they will be just over 3 weeks apart so wasn't sure if it was doable. I didn't want to wait till the others were completely out of the brooder and have to start again if I could avoid it since that would put them hatching in May and was hoping to HOPEFULLY have all laying this year before the shorter days come so wanted to hatch on the early side.

 

[AmyA248]

In your case, I think you should plan on a separate brooder box for the newly-hatched chicks for the first few days. In the very first day or two the newly hatched chicks are very clumsy and also take very frequent naps, so they are in more danger of being trampled by older chicks that are more energetic. After the younger ones are running around easily (no longer tripping on their feet), it will probably be fine to combine them. That usually happens in just a few days, well under a week.

I will definitely do that then. I don’t want them hurt!
Thank you so much!

 

[dagnabbit]

I'm glad other people had the same question and were able to get some great advice.

After talking it over with Mr. Dagnabbit, we decided to just keep the 3 we have now and get some more chicks next year. He seemed a little bit disappointed not have more soft little peepers around, which is funny because he has been adamant that this whole chicken business is all on me and he'd have nothing to do with it. Sure changed his tune fast when he saw the babies!

 

[AmyA248]

I'm glad other people had the same question and were able to get some great advice.

After talking it over with Mr. Dagnabbit, we decided to just keep the 3 we have now and get some more chicks next year. He seemed a little bit disappointed not have more soft little peepers around, which is funny because he has been adamant that this whole chicken business is all on me and he'd have nothing to do with it. Sure changed his tune fast when he saw the babies!

Awe!!! How sweet