Need advice on new chicks, please

[chemew]

I've been keeping 23 chicks in a hover brooder since end of Feb. They seem to like the red heat lamp so I've been keeping it of for them but I don't think they really need it. Most of them sleep just outside the brooder. However, they do seem confused b/c they can't get to their old brooder and need to figure out the roosts.

Today, a neighbor delivered about 20 chicks (they are moving and can't keep them) with about half two weeks and the others about four. I surrounded the brooder with a small fence and put all the new chicks inside with the brooder. All of the chicks (the 20 and the 23) are in the same coop - just separated by the fence. The new chicks are getting along fine and aren't harassing each other.

My question is this: do you think it would be ok to let them all mingle together or should I continue to keep them separated? If separeted, how much longer?

 

[Fierlin1182]

Some people recommend a couple of weeks' separation before you introduce them, that way they've had a chance to get used to each other's presence. Although if you notice any severe pecking that continues for a long time (a little pecking is normal for establishing pecking order) then you might want to keep all, or just the offending chickens, separate for a little while longer. Good luck. I hope it goes smoothly for you.

 

[ChickenLover WI]

I would keep them how you have them now for 2 days just so the other ones get used to seeing them in there. Then I would let them out to with the rest of them freely. I think they would be fine together just keep checking on them every once in awhile. This is what I am doing with mine. Mine are just fine together because they all are so young in age it doesn't bother them like it would if there was a huge age difference. They are still all babies at this age so you will be just fine like mine are. They all love each other. Plus they will love being able to run around and then at night they will stay warm from all your other ones you have. Good luck to you and your little ones. You should post some pictures of them on here for all of us to see!

 

[chemew]

sorry for the delay - here is a picture of some of the new chicks. It's amazing how much more active they are compared to the first batch I had at the end of Feb.