Mixing chicks: what's the process

Date sort Score sort
bleudesigner21

bleudesigner21

Hatching
Joined
Mar 28, 2015
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
9
Hi! I have 12 incubated at home/5 day old chicks. And 6 I just bought at a local store. What is the process with integrating them? Can they be in the same box under a lamp, but separated? Or do they need their completely own space?
 
Hello, and welcome to BYC!
welcome-byc.gif
I'm glad you joined us.

Chicks that age should be able to be mixed with no problems. Generally, you can mix chicks as much as 2 weeks apart just fine. However, I wouldn't suggest mixing those two groups right away, since they came from different places. The store-bought chicks could be carrying a disease that could infect your home-hatched chicks.I would keep them seperated for a couple of weeks, and then mix them together.
 
Hello there and welcome to BYC!
frow.gif


After 2 to 3 weeks of age, the pecking order is beginning to form in flocks. So just be careful if you mix them after these ages. You will then need to keep them separated by wire in the same brooder or area for a few weeks so everybody sees, nobody touches. This will allow them to get introduced without them being able to become aggressive with each other.

So either mix them all together now, or do the quarantine thing like Wyandottes has suggested and then mix them together slowly after several weeks behind wire.

Good luck with all your babies and welcome to our flock!
 
Welcome to BYC. Glad you decided join our flock. X2 on TwoCrow's advice. Please feel free to ask any questions you may have. We are here to help in any way we can. Good luck with your chicks.
 
Welcome to BYC! Please make yourself at home and we are here to help.

Wyandottes7 and Two Crows have given you good advice.

My chicks usually had their pecking order established around week 3.
 

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom