Mixed chick ages and temp control

[dlaciv12]

OK, I completely screwed up the chicks arrivals. I have 6 here now and 10 more coming "later." There is no room anywhere for a second brooder. If the 10 arrive in 2+ weeks can I keep them all in the same brooder? Should I keep the original 6 at 95 degrees until the the rest arrive? Will it be OK to mix them safely with a 2+ week difference in age?
Thanks!

 

[Sunny Side Up]

and welcome to your new chickies!

I don't worry too much about exact temps, I just watch the chicks' behavior. If they seem content, going about their birdy business then I figure the temp is right for them. If they're huddled right under the light, or standing far away from it, then it must be too cold/hot for them.

The main issue with mixing different-aged chicks is that the older ones might hurt the younger ones. Either on purpose, pecking at them until they bleed, or accidently when they go to sleep in their pig pile and squish the new ones.

Once they've all gotten a bit of growth & feathering the 2 weeks' difference shouldn't matter as much. But you might want to keep them separate for a few weeks at first.

All you need for a brooder is a nice cardboard box and a desk lamp. Perhaps you could figure out a way to set up 2 of these for a few weeks. Or make a sturdy divider in your single brooder box.

 

[conny63malies]

I had a serama that was three weeks younger than the rest. After three weeks i got tired of this little psycho peeping all the time(he had a teddybear with him) so i "threw" him in with the older dutch banties. I watched them for a while , there was some chest bumping and the big girls thought that the little one was a bit of a nuisance. But in the end they got along. I dont have a temp control or thermostat i just lower the lamp or put it higher until they are quiet and happy.

 

[cmom]

I agree with the other post. I would separate them initially. If you can separate them so they can see each other and get used to each other being there the integration may go better. Watch carefully when you do as the older chicks may peck at the younger ones and may hurt or kill them.

 

[Backyard Farm]

I've had the same problem at time before of different hatching dates. I keep them separate for a few days and the put a wire/screen divider in for a day or so...so they can see each other. Then let them mingle.
Usually no problem after a few initial pecks.