Mixing ages in the brooder

[silversage03]

Hi everyone! I've been looking forward to getting my first chicks for months now, and the local feed store just started getting the little babies last week. Here's my pridicament. Apparently they're having trouble getting in all the varieties I was wanting because two hatcheries were being ordered from, and one has halted shipping to Montana because of the weather. Would it be alright for me to get what they have now (Australorps and Guineas) and then get the rest when they arrive sometime in April, and keep them all together? Or, would it be better to have seperate brooders for them? I don't know if I can hold off getting them all in April!!

Thanks in advance for all your help!!

Deb

 

[Chickie Mamma]

Hello and

. I am having a problem myself. I have 5 (2 week) old chicks in the brooder and I just got 8 babies yesterday and the 2 week olds are picking on the little guys. I had to separate them. You could try. I took them out within minutes because I didn't want them to get hurt. Good Luck and maybe someone has a better idea on integrating them..

 

[CovenantCreek]

Being prepared to set up a second brooder will probably be your best bet. When I have staggered hatches I usually put the younger chicks in a separate brooder for up to a week to let them get steady on their feet before trying to integrate them with older chicks.

 

[NOnuggets]

I vote for the second brooder...by two weeks the first bunch already have tons of feathers, have tripled in size and are flapping and running around like maniacs

and the wee fuzzy ones still need sleep! A week apart...not so bad. Once they are all robust, you could give it a shot to make room in the second brooder for some new ones maybe

If the brooderis big enough, you might be able to divide it?