Is it OK to add new chicks in with 3 week olds?

[dako'ng itlog]

My order of 10 new chicks is shipping Monday. I already have 2 3-week old Golden Commet chicks I got locally. Will the older chicks pick on the new ones if I just put them into the brooder together? Do they need to be seperated for a little while? Help! I want to have a healthy happy new flock.

 

[Armageddon]

I had thirteen 5 day old chicks and added three 2 and 3-week old chicks.....It was okay. It took a little while for the big girls to feel at home, the little ones chased them behind a mirror alot and i had to move it. Now they seems to all be good. One of my big girls gets her tail feathers picked at and she's very shy.....I really thought the big girls were going to mess with my little ones.

Maybe if you add them all to a "new" environment at the same time it will be easier? I dunno? I am new at this....I think my little ones were possesive of "their" space (after only 4 days!)

Good luck!!

 

[Cetawin]

Do not put day olds with 3 week olds...you are asking for some hurt or dead chicks. 3 week olds are too rough for day olds...plus you need to keep the new ones quaratined to check for illness before mixing them...anytime you add a new bird to your flock quarantine.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I would not put day olds in with older chicks. I'd give them at least a week to get going with food, stable on their feet, etc.

I put 1 1/2 week olds in with 4 week olds and watched them really close. They all arrived at my house at the same time, so there was no "turf" established. The were fine together and in fact the 1 1/2 week olds just run straight through the 4 week olds. This morning I went up to see 2 young ones cuddled up to a 4 week old

and they were snoozing. (til I walked in)

I think there could be problems if there is already a breed that thinks it's their turf.

 

[Ms~Silkie~Girl]

I wouldn't do that. Chickens are mean to eachother (atleast mine are), If you did do that you would prolly end up with dead chicks.