New to chickens, chicks huddling away from radiant heater

[Alexsquared]

Thanks again for the info. They are moving around and seem to be just fine. They were by the heater for a bit this morning, then wandered around again. They aren't huddling right now, but are scratching and eating. The farmer had them in a dog crate very similar to what we did with a radiant heater as well. I think they are fine. Just paranoid first time chick parents .

Now we have another question. We were planning on adding a few more chicks to this bunch. These 6 are Easter egger sapphire gem mixes and 2 weeks old. Another local farmer has some 3 week old red ranger/Wyandotte mixes. We wanted to get 2 of those. Is there much risk with them being a week apart in age?

 

[Brooks_]

Thanks again for the info. They are moving around and seem to be just fine. They were by the heater for a bit this morning, then wandered around again. They aren't huddling right now, but are scratching and eating. The farmer had them in a dog crate very similar to what we did with a radiant heater as well. I think they are fine. Just paranoid first time chick parents .

Now we have another question. We were planning on adding a few more chicks to this bunch. These 6 are Easter egger sapphire gem mixes and 2 weeks old. Another local farmer has some 3 week old red ranger/Wyandotte mixes. We wanted to get 2 of those. Is there much risk with them being a week apart in age?

I've read that when the older ones are 4 wks or under, there is not much concern. Supervise or slightly divide at first. The bigger ones don't really know they're bigger and could trample/knock over the little ones, but not really be asserting dominance.

 

[wyoDreamer]

I have some Sapphire Gems and they seem to be pretty mellow chickens. I think you will be fine, especially since it is adding 2 bigger chicks to 6 smaller chicks.

Can you add a low roost to the pen? They will love to jump up and down from there and it will give more "space" for the chicks to use. With 8 growing chicks, it will get crowded fast.

 

[rosemarythyme]

At 2 weeks old, with a relatively warm space (70F), and with them acting content... I'd leave them be. As long as they know where the heat source is, they can decide for themselves if they want to use it or not.

 

[Bigtom Turkey]

At 2 weeks old, with a relatively warm space (70F), and with them acting content... I'd leave them be. As long as they know where the heat source is, they can decide for themselves if they want to use it or not.

Yes if they passed the 1st week then they are prob good.

 

[Alexsquared]

Thanks for the tips everyone.