New Chicks Today--More Expected Next Week--Need to Know...

[Boo-Boo's Mama]

My husband misunderstood when he reserved 5 Buff Orpington chicks...he thought they would arrive on the 17th when the 5 Silver Lace Wyandottes chicks arrive. Well, the BO chicks arrived this morning so he made a quick trip to the feed store that is 40 miles from us...we had do some shuffling to get ready for them...the 2 1/2 wk old RSL's graduated up to the Chick-n-Hutch from TSC (having a blast on the roost) so I could clean the brooder and get it set up while he was picking them up.

My question is...will the 5 SLW be ok in the brooder with the BO chicks who will be a week older than them by the 17th? If not, I need to go ahead and get another container and heat lamp now before my husband leaves town...he works 40 miles from home and is gone for 4 days, then home for 4 days...one vehicle so I'm stuck home.

He brought home a darling Mini Rex bunny...she is so sweet, wants to snuggle...beautiful broken color. My enclosed porch is filled with plants, chicks and a bunny!

I think I have died and gone to Heaven!

 

[rancher hicks]

I don't think so. I would put a see through divider in the brooder w/ them for a day or so. They'll sort out the pecking order in due time. just keep an eye on them.

 

[felidaet]

You will find varying opinions. I personally mix them up to 3 weeks in age. I currently have chicks ranging in age from about 4 days to about 2 weeks in my brooder. And I am going to add 4 more chicks tomorrow that are only 2 or 3 days old. Just keep an eye on them for awhile to make sure the small ones are not being trampled. I have not had any problems.

 

[fastpat]

Quote:
That sounds reasonable, I may acquire some more later this month because I'll have room when I send of roosters on to another owner, I have too many.

 

[Kittymomma]

They should be ok, but keep an eye on things to make sure the older batch doesn't bully the younger ones away from the feed/water and heat lamp. It works best with a roomy brooder, if they're a bit cramped you're more likely to have problems.

 

[tryingtohaveitall]

A few days ago I added some new chicks to my ~ 2 week old BO's (and whatever else they are). I kept a close eye on them because the new arrivals seem much smaller than the biggest chicks but they seem to be doing great. It's hilarious to watch the new little ones run underneath the bigger chicks.

 

[jossanne]

I've mixed chicks up to two weeks different in age and done fine with it.