Mixing 1 week chicks with 4/5/6 week olds?

[Teaching Chicken Mama]

Is this possible? I don't have a way to separate them out in the coop/run. Should I wait until the 1 week olds are older? How old would be optimum? Thank you!
Carrie

 

[Tamayeager]

IMHO, depends on set up, and actually, the individual birds. I have mixed ages like this. But, you have to be concerned with heat. Cause they can smother the smaller chicks. And, feed. If there is one feeding station, they can crowd out the smaller chicks. So if your broader is large enough, and has two or more heat sources, and several feed and water areas, then it can be done. Just watch for overly aggressive birds. If you have an aggressive breed, this can be an issue. As they will peck the little ones too much and too hard. And sometimes, you can simply have an overly aggressive individual. Regardless of breed. I would spend plenty of time watching. See how they interact. And do this everyday. Cause things can change uickly with growing chicks! Lol

 

[TropicalBabies]

Is this possible? I don't have a way to separate them out in the coop/run. Should I wait until the 1 week olds are older? How old would be optimum? Thank you!
Carrie

I pretty much agree with @Tamayeager though personally, I would not do it. I'd figure out a partition and keep them in a look but don't touch situation for a few weeks to months instead of risking potential disaster for the 1 week olds. 1 week is super small and 1 mo & 1.5 MO are well on their way to being big and enjoying their top of the pecking order status and not be trusted with little littles. Just IMO. ♡

 

[Tamayeager]

I pretty much agree with @Tamayeager though personally, I would not do it. I'd figure out a partition and keep them in a look but don't touch situation for a few weeks to months instead of risking potential disaster for the 1 week olds. 1 week is super small and 1 mo & 1.5 MO are well on their way to being big and enjoying their top of the pecking order status and not be trusted with little littles. Just IMO. ♡

That is how I did it for years too. Till I got tired of having to integrate them eventually. So I began just putting them together. The little ones learn quickly to not get under foot. And will actually use the larger chicks for warmth. Squeezing up under their wings to snuggle in at night. It is actually mutually beneficial, IF the setup is correct. Now, I wouldn't do it any other way. This summer, I bought 6-12 chicks, every week, until I reached my limit. Each week, putting them in the broader with the rest. When the older birds were ready to move from the brooder, some of them hollered at the top of their lungs. Took me a bit to figure out what was happening. They were hollering for their buddies.lol so I went back to the broader, and removed all those that were doing the same thing. Sure enough, they all settled in. BUT! I would keep an eye out for bullies. I completely understand why you would keep them separate. I use to do the same. And certain breeds, I would not try this with. But the friendlier breeds seemed to do better this way. Peace

 

[TropicalBabies]

This summer, I bought 6-12 chicks, every week, until I reached my limit.

Ok. Wait. You picked up 6-12 chicks every week all summer till you hit your limit. Oh my goodness... what is your limit ?! that would become chicken math!

 

[Tamayeager]

I have 50ish chicks. (Haven't done an actual count in a while) Lost some along the way. But this is not even half of what I will have. I am starting a hatchery and selling eggs, next spring. Sold many ducklings this past spring. But most likely won't sell ducklings. Maybe duck eggs, if there is a market for it. Considering selling organic meat, if I can find a buyer. Will see

 

[TropicalBabies]

I have 50ish chicks. (Haven't done an actual count in a while) Lost some along the way. But this is not even half of what I will have. I am starting a hatchery and selling eggs, next spring. Sold many ducklings this past spring. But most likely won't sell ducklings. Maybe duck eggs, if there is a market for it. Considering selling organic meat, if I can find a buyer. Will see

Most exciting. How long have you been raising chooks? Welp, I wish you the best on your endeavors

 

[Tamayeager]

Thank you! Well, I have had chickens my whole life. My great grandad was a chicken farmer. He was "retired" by the time I came along. So ONLY had about 100 at a time lol. How I loved going to his house! He passed when I was 9 yrs old. So, all my family, on that side,have chickens. And I have always had them. I just love everything about them. Only made better, by the fact that my autistic grandson LOVES ducks and chickens. So that was a huge incentive to start this dream. It will eventually be his...if successful!

 

[raingarden]

Thank you! Well, I have had chickens my whole life. My great grandad was a chicken farmer. He was "retired" by the time I came along. So ONLY had about 100 at a time lol. How I loved going to his house! He passed when I was 9 yrs old. So, all my family, on that side,have chickens. And I have always had them. I just love everything about them. Only made better, by the fact that my autistic grandson LOVES ducks and chickens. So that was a huge incentive to start this dream. It will eventually be his...if successful!

Wow, keep in touch if you can.

I would mix ages with OEGB but nothing else. For whatever reason, they don't seem to pick on the newcomers.

 

[TropicalBabies]

Thank you! Well, I have had chickens my whole life. My great grandad was a chicken farmer. He was "retired" by the time I came along. So ONLY had about 100 at a time lol. How I loved going to his house! He passed when I was 9 yrs old. So, all my family, on that side,have chickens. And I have always had them. I just love everything about them. Only made better, by the fact that my autistic grandson LOVES ducks and chickens. So that was a huge incentive to start this dream. It will eventually be his...if successful!

Well, with all that I am surprised it took you so long ! Or is this one of those never too late things?
Do you have a roo and incubate? What breeds will you be focusing on? How much room and how is your set up? Will you have to be adding structures or are you all set up and just starting to fill up?
Pretty cool you are still in love with the birds after all of that time.