mixing different age chicks

[capebird]

I've read not to introduce new chicks with established older chickens. My question is....
I've got an opportunity to acquire 3 rhode Island reds in a couple of weeks. About a month later
I can get 3 Barred Rocks. Will there be any issues with them being a month apart and having the
6 girls live together? Does a being a month apart make a difference? Thanks for the help.

 

[BarefootMom]

Will the RIR and the BR be chicks? A month is like leaving a newborn with a 5 year old...not that smart. My chicks are only 2 weeks apart and the size differences are insane. They grow so much.

 

[capebird]

Yes, when I get the chicks, they will be only a few days old. So when I get the
Rocks (at a few days old) the Rhode Islanders will (at that time) be about a month old.

 

[crazygoatlady915]

And I wouldn't they grow CRAZY FAST, and the older ones will be massive in comparison with the babies

 

[Glenbogel06]

I had a lone Wheaton chick that was only a few days old that I put in with two 3-4 week old female chicks, and there was no problem. Actually the little chick literally "walked all over" the older girls. Although the wouldn't let the chick sleep under them like a momma would do, every time I went in to check on them the little one was laying on top of the bigger ones and they were all asleep. So it really depends on the chicks themselves. My two young females were very mello. And I wouldn't put tiny ones in with more than just 3-4 older girls just cause the little ones tend to get run over.

 

[Fred's Hens]

If they have lots and lots of space, no crowding, chicks will bunch up with buddies, usually. Brood out the little new ones. Wait to integrate until both are out of the brooder.

 

[itsjustjen]

I have the exact same question as the OP. I have 8 chickens. 3 are 6 weeks old and 5 are between 2-3 weeks old. I wanted to start mixing them together within the next week or so, at least the 3 week old ones, but am just unsure.

My biggest problem is Poof the duck. He is like 3 of the chickens put together and is in the brooder with the chickens ( has been since day 1 ) and is very attached to them. I worry about Poof with the younger chickies.

We do however put them in the same brooder but there is a divider between them so they can hear each other but can not see or get to each other.