Mixing Chicks that are a week different in age

[TwistedPines]

I've got 2 sets of chicks in the brooders right now. The first set of 20 is approx 2 weeks old. They were delivered on 5/19, so I'm guessing 16 days right now as they shipped on 5/17. My second set of 16 is approx 6 to 7 days old as they were delivered on 5/28.

Since the 2 week olds are MUCH bigger than the others, how long should I wait before I mix the two groups? Or do I need to build a third brooder and make it a BIG brooder to accommodate them all?

I assume I need to put up some sort of barrier for a while after I do so as well?

Thanks in advance for any and all help!

 

[TwistedPines]

Anyone got any input here?

 

[Fred's Hens]

Do it all the time. Usually, there is no issue, since a week isn't a large differential.

With that many bodies, having two or three small watering stations is better than one large one. Same with feeders. Having a couple to provide choice is a good thing.

I just combine chicks today that were two full week apart with no issues.

 

[Dschwartz]

I am in the same situation. I have 3 sets, all different ages, that are all in it together. The larger ones pick on the littler ones a bit, but each set sticks together and they find their own areas. It is funny to see how they segregate. I am sure the pecking order will reestablish once they are all the same size. Some of the smaller ones are already giving the others some of their own medicine.

 

[TwistedPines]

Do it all the time. Usually, there is no issue, since a week isn't a large differential.

With that many bodies, having two or three small watering stations is better than one large one. Same with feeders. Having a couple to provide choice is a good thing.

I just combine chicks today that were two full week apart with no issues.

Excellent. Thank very much all. I'll work on a bit bigger brooder for all of them and see how we do.