mixing broods 1 week apart

[ashlinero]

I have a small brood (4) of coturnix that is 4 days old and want to know if I can add several (probably 6) coturnix that are hatching today to that brood once they are a week old. Thoughts? Anyone have success doing this?

 

[JaeG]

Yes, they'll be fine. Last time I hatched I didn't think our birds were overly fertile (being older birds) so kept adding eggs for a week after I started. The different ages were fine with each other. Just keep an eye on the younger ones - some need more encouragement to eat and drink and wait for you to help them rather than copying their brothers and sisters.

 

[Nabiki]

You might want to put them together when the new ones are 3-4 days old instead of a week. The younger they are, the better they integrate with new birds. The older birds are only four days older, so it shouldn't be a problem.

 

[MadamPoofyBrow]

I have done this successfully many times with chickens and quail. They're not old enough yet at that age to care much about who's with them - bullying starts later. Good luck with your chicks!

 

[Quailobsessed]

It should be okay. Any longer and their sizes are too different.

 

[ashlinero]

Thanks all! I did add them at 4 days old and there were no issues at all.