Mix of chicks (16 total), when do I need to separate? Should I separate older ones?

[motleybeau]

I just picked up 16 chicks on the weekend, mixed breeds. 14 of them are 6 days old now, and my 2 amerucanas are about a week older (13 days old). They are not picking on the other chicks, but definitely bowl the others over pretty easily and are a little 'flighty'. Should I separate my 2 older amerucana chicks?

Also - My brooder is about 4 feet by 1.5 feet, is that enough room for my 16 chicks for the whole 5 weeks that they need to be in there, before going into the coop??

Any & all advice is much appreciated!! Thanks.

 

[Monkeybean415]

I don't think you'd need to separate them unless they're getting bullied. I added one 3 week old pullet in with my 1 week olds last year and they did fine.

As for space you'll need to get something bigger for them soon. You want to give them 1 sq foot per chicken for the first few weeks and then around 4 weeks 2 sq ft is best

 

[azygous]

Yes, I second that! No need to separate the two groups of chicks. Two weeks isn't a deal breaker. But space is.

The reason the smaller ones are so easily over-run is lack of adequate space. Chicks a few days old are not very active, but within a week, they become very active, and by week two, are exercising their wings to run and even fly.

The more space the better. There's is no law requiring you to stuff baby chicks into a brooder container indoors. In fact, it you already have a coop and there is plenty of space to fence off a portion from any adult flock, that would be ideal. If there is no big chickens in the flock yet, all the better, they will have the entire coop space to run and fly and play.

If you haven't heard about the heating pad system of brooding chicks, you really should check it out. The thread is "Mama heating pad in the Brooder" on this forum. It allows you to dispense with cumbersome heat lamps and prevents overheating of the chicks, and it's ideal for brooding outdoors, even in very cold weather.

 

[motleybeau]

Awesome - thank you both so much for the information. I will check out that heating pad system!
We are still in the process of building a big coop, but I will build a 'second stage type brooder' tonight so they have lots of space for the next couple weeks until the chicks get into their big coop.

 

[Monkeybean415]

The heating pad brooder looks awesome. I almost regret donating my electric blanket last year. It seems to mimick a broody hen the best and doesn't put the chicks in bright light 24/7. Just got chicks today so will maybe try this next time.