Mixed age chicks

[paeskie]

We are finally ready to get our first babies here, and everyone local has recommended a particular farm store to get them. The problem is the store gets a different selection from the hatchery on alternating weeks, and we want three from each selection.
So... my question is: Can I safely bring home three chicks this week, and add three next week after the first three have grown some? I would need to combine the flock in one brooder, and then in one coop later on. If this is not a good idea for a newbie to try, I will settle for six chicks from the one selection of breeds, but we would be disappointed.
Thanks in advance for your advice.

 

[mommyofthree]

I'm almost positive being that close in age they would be fine, chicks don't grow terribly fast. I just got some day old chicks and I put them with a pretty big 3 week old pekin duckling! And I will hopefully be adding in some ducklings and chicks that are due to hatch in my incubator this weekend.

 

[Fred's Hens]

You'll have no issues buying some this week and the rest next week. After that, it gets sketchy. Temp needs, heading out to coop timing starts to get complicated as do social issues, when more than a few weeks difference is created.

 

[wannabchick]

A week apart in age..should be just fine..
Many times, it's size..is east hour comparing in my life and experience..also how much the previous homeowners...heheheheh

Have had time to become territorial of their home

I sometimes, just cut a huge sheet of hardware cloth and divide up an area..they see each other

But if your talking itty bitty chicks..you should be just fine

Xoxox

 

[al6517]

I agree 1 week won't make a difference, I do staggered hatches all the time and add those to the brooders without incident. I even have done it for 2 week difference with no problems.

AL

 

[Mofarmgirl]

My experience has been that the older faster Chicks may pick on the younger ones, so I would keep a close eye on them.

 

[BrattishTaz]

I have chicks that are about two weeks apart. I noticed some pecking so I put a chicken wire divider in the brooder. This arrangement had worked for about 4 weeks. They range outside together without issues. Yesterday, the older two managed to work a gap into the divider and killed one chick, another was scalped.

One week may be ok but I would not mix chicks any farther apart in age than that.

 

[A.T. Hagan]

Up to about 10-14 days difference there shouldn't be too much problem usually, but after that you'd want to watch them carefully.

There's about eight days between the oldest and youngest in the photo.

 

[MzBalance]

We purchased three chicks... one is about a week younger. They seem to be fine all together, but we're watching them. (had 'em about a week) Last summer, one of our teen chicks became a viscious rooster and we had to let him go; which left us with only one hen. We bought another chick that was younger than our girl, but they got along without any problems.
Hoping to hear lot's of good chicky hints now that we've got some babies again!
Thanks,
Sharon