mixing 2 different age groups of chicks

[oscar 1102]

Hi, we just bought 6 two week old chicks (new Hampshire Reds) and are receiving 15 more 1 day olds from McMurray Hatchery on Tuesday, Can we put them together right away? Or the age difference is too great. Thanks for all of the information everybody gives us, making our chicken raising experience easier.

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

Two weeks apart is OK...just watch them to make sure no one gets picked on. Three weeks apart is too old from my experience until the day olds get a little older and faster on their feet.

Watch the day olds carefully and if you can it would be great to give them their own space just for a little while so they can get the hang of eating and drinking and recover from the shipping experience.

 

[oscar 1102]

Thank you, since we have the room, we will probably give them their own space.

 

[Roxannemc]

Before you do that I would keep them separated for a week or 2 since they are from different hatcheries or breeders .
If one group is carrying some germ it will go to the others too if you put them together right away.

A VERY good idea when you get ANY new chicken to quarantine them for a week or so ...(Should be 2 weeks they say) make sure they are well first
.Better a few get sick than the whole flock