Is it safe to add to the brooder?

[1keegan]

After picking up six day old chicks on Wednesday, it was discovered that three of the chicks were not the breed I ordered.

The hatchery has offered to replace the ones my order is missing, but my question is:
Is it easy to introduce three chicks who will be one week younger, to the current group of six?

I don't have another brooder to separate them, and they will all have to live in the same coop as soon as they feather out.

Tips or advise?
Thanks

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

1 week Younger is fine. I learned the hard way that, over 2 weeks along with day olds does not work. My brooder is 4x8 but something scared them and the smallest chick got trampled.

 

[21hens-incharge]

It is doable. Set up a wire divider for a couple days to make sure the new ones have their feet about them, are eating and drinking.
When you take the divider down watch them to make sure no one is getting run over.

I guess some of that would depend on the heat source and if you are brooding indoors.

 

[Mtnboomer]

I have had chicks 1-2 days younger get trampled to death by their already stronger big brothers and sisters.
The divider is a must for any age difference for newly hatched chicks in my opinion. Once they are strong enough to hold their own, the divider can be removed.

 

[sniper338]

Itd be fine.

 

[aart]

Have had good luck and bad with this.
Definitely set up a divider, then do some chick(en) juggling to see if they'll get along.
Lots of space can really help.

 

[doughouse]

I'm preparing to do exactly this, with three one-day-old chicks joining my current three chicks (who will be two weeks old) in a couple of days. I've rigged up a hardware cloth divider for the brooder and I'm still trying to figure out the logistics of heating them, since the three I have now are using a Brinsea EcoGlow--I guess I'll need to set up a heat lamp too while they're in separate parts of the brooder. Anyway, I guess I'm just nervous about the whole thing and want to hear some more success stories and tips! How'd it work out for you, 1keegan?