mixing ages/breeds of chicks in a brooder box

[izziwizzi]

hi
i have had my first 3 silkie chicks (nearly five weeks - unsexed) for two weeks now and they are doing really well. I am getting some new chicks tomorrow. They are 2 x barnevelders as day olds and 2 x light Sussex as 2 week olds (female). will i be able to put them all in the same brooder it is a largecarboard box brooder with light and covered area at one end and plenty of run about room fro chicks. Im told by the lady im gettting new chicks from that those are together at the moment. Can i mix them I wanted to raise them all together but there was a delay in getting the other chicks thanks you

 

[jenn-E]

I was told that you could mix chicks up to 3-4 weeks difference in age. I think the most important thing is the size difference. I currently have my 2 wk-old & 5 wk-old chicks in separate brooders. I just thought the older ones seemed too big for the new babies when they came. I would be willing to add babies with my 2 week-olds. They will all go out in the coop together eventually.

 

[nanawendy]

Also... sometimes the growth rate is very different. I've had to move some chicks to protect smaller ones. The way to tell is by their actions. Watch them carefully, if no one is a bully... your fine. If there is an aggressive one, get ready to PROTECT.

You gotta be the Mama in charge