Mixing Chicks with Teenagers

[GeekiTurtle]

I've got a flock of 10 week olds (14 of then) and I've got a flock of 3 week olds (18 of them).

Is it possible to mix the 2 flocks at this age or is 3 weeks old too young? Or is the age gap too big? And if I do mix the 2 what are some concerns I should look out for?

If you want any more information please ask...

 

[GoosesGeeses]

I personally would wait until they are a little older, maybe 7 weeks, 3 weeks is just too young in my opinion, the older ones will probably pick on them and bully them

 

[Yardmom]

The three week old chicks need heat while the older ones do not. As long as chicks can move in and out of the heat that may not matter. Some 10 week old chicks could be aggressive toward smaller birds while others of that age may not react much at all to them.

Both your setup and the personality of the older chicks need to be considered. If your setup would work well you could try to mix them while you are watching to see how the older chicks treat the younger chicks.

 

[GeekiTurtle]

I personally would wait until they are a little older, maybe 7 weeks, 3 weeks is just too young in my opinion, the older ones will probably pick on them and bully them

I probably won't be able to keep them that long in the brooder I got set up. The New batch if chicks come from a land race mother and already know how to perch for short durations and can easily climb up a steep ladder...

 

[GeekiTurtle]

The three week old chicks need heat while the older ones do not. As long as chicks can move in and out of the heat that may not matter. Some 10 week old chicks could be aggressive toward smaller birds while others of that age may not react much at all to them.

Both your setup and the personality of the older chicks need to be considered. If your setup would work well you could try to mix them while you are watching to see how the older chicks treat the younger chicks.

Where I'm staying it's been getting into 35°C easily during the day and at night they can huddle (being so many), so I'm not too worried about heat.

The coop space has enough floor space for the chicks to run away but I'll keep in mind to watch them. Might do the transfer next week or the one after.

 

[Yardmom]

Where I'm staying it's been getting into 35°C easily during the day and at night they can huddle (being so many), so I'm not too worried about heat.

The coop space has enough floor space for the chicks to run away but I'll keep in mind to watch them. Might do the transfer next week or the one after.

No heat needed at that temperature. (I guess keeping birds cool is more of a concern for you).
Adding hiding places or places only the little ones fit can help.
The chicks can be very smart about how not to get pecked. I have seen my chicks push right between safe hens, but completely stay out of range of hens the occasional peck a chick.

 

[GeekiTurtle]

No heat needed at that temperature. (I guess keeping birds cool is more of a concern for you).
Adding hiding places or places only the little ones fit can help.
The chicks can be very smart about how not to get pecked. I have seen my chicks push right between safe hens, but completely stay out of range of hens the occasional peck a chick.

This is my "coop" space with hanging feeder and drinker. Also got a nesting box but they're still too young to lay at the moment. This is we're I'm hoping to move the chicks in a week or so (going to add the chick feeder and baby bell drinkers. I'll also add some hidey holes so they can escape the bigger ones if needed. The teenagers used the nesting box to go to sleep but I'm training them to roost now.

Calling it chicken tetris because they all have specific wants.

This is the run space that i let them out into. Got another hanging drinker for clean water and some pot trays I've filled with water so they can wet their feet.

More of run space... there used to be a compost pile but now its a slight mound.

I've got 2 full adult hens and 1 rooster that stay outside and roost in the tree (adopted from somebody who didn't really train them so they're basically feral, minus the attacking you).

 

[debid]

I've mixed with 3 weeks of difference and what I saw was little ones get trampled on a bit but aren't viewed as a threat and are mostly disregarded. That changed my ideas about mixing. IMO, younger is better. I'd do it.