Just hatched in with 1 week olds?

[Azriel]

I have myTSC chicks. I know they will be to old to put my new babies in with. But I have eggs due to hatch on the 22nd, then another batch due to hatch on the 30th, and then there will be one more batch due to hatch on the 7th of May. Can I put either the 1st and 2nd hatches together, or the 2nd and 3rd, or is that to big of an age difference. I think my biggest hatch will be the ones due on the 30th.

 

[saramontour]

We just got some chicks that were hatched on Thursday and we're picking up some more that are suppose to hatch tomorrow. The breeder we got them from said 1 week should be ok to put together, so that's our plan for now.

 

[catchthewind]

I put 3 tiny day-old Silkies in with 12 babies ranging in age from 7-10 days old and they were fine. I just kept a really good eye on them for a while, but one of the older Welsummers adopted the Silkies and the Silkies spent most of the first day or two huddle up with her. I was worried about the Silkies getting trampled since they're soo tiny, but there haven't been any problems. I'm no expert though, that's just my one experience.

 

[PetRock]

I was told that the limit is a 3 week age difference. Up to yesterday, we had four 3 wk old chicks and one 2 wk old chick in the brooder. Then yesterday we added one 1 wk old and three 3 day olds into the brooder with them. It was funny to watch because the older five chicks were scared of the little ones and huddled in one corner for the longest time. One of the little guys (thinking maybe a roo) actually challenged them and jumped on them. They seem to be adapting fine to their new flock mates. One of the older ones pecks the little ones every once in a while but they often peck him/her right back. Gotta love these little olive eggers! They sure stand up for themselves! It's funny to see a little tiny black chick try to bump chests with a giant buff brahma chick!