Mixed age chicks - housing question

[FancyFace]

Our first egg hatched 2 weeks ago - because there was only on of the initial batch of 6 that hatched, we bough her some nest mates who were a similar size. One of the chicks we bought was a little older - I guess at least a week, possibly a little more.

We also got a little carried away and bought some more eggs for the incubator.

In about 11 days we may have a 2nd batch of chicks (candling looks hopeful) but the first batch won't yet be strong enough to move to the outdoor coop (that my husband has yet to build/buy) Do I need to keep the new chicks separate - and should I be looking to introduce them as soon as possible... or not?

Finally, when will my bigger chicks get big enough to go outside - I'm in the UK - it's apparently summer here which means it's probably raining but not cold.

Thank you.

Chicks: Cream Legbar, White Leghorn, Cuckoo Maran & Columbian Blacktail
Eggs in 'bater: Buff Orpington & Black Copper Maran (hopefully )

 

[Emma Miriam]

So how old will the old chicks be when the new ones hatch...three weeks? Four? That's too big a difference at the chick stage: the little ones will still be all wobbly and could easily get picked on or even trampled. Plus, their heat needs will be different. BUT, introducing them ASAP is a good idea and will make integration easier. I don't know what your brooder set-up is, but do you have a way to separate the two batches of chicks but still allow them to see each other? If so, that will make integration a breeze when everyone's ready to move out to the coop.

Good luck!