Putting different aged chicks together

[babychicky]

I have three 4-5wk old chicks, I also have have six 2wk old chicks. My question is, at what age can I put them all together? The bigger ones are still being mean to the littler ones.. Someone had told me as soon as the little ones are fast enough to get away from the bigger ones, but how do I know when that is? I don't want their eyes to get pecked out.

 

[Chicken Little Farmer]

usually, the rule is to put them together when they are all the same size

 

[math ace]

Even when they are the same size - - - - It will be rough going for a few days.

If you are especially tenderhearted, it will be frustrating for a couple of WEEKS.

Just went through it with my girls . . . . .

I just put my 4 month olds in with my 6 month olds. . .

 

[babychicky]

But they won't be the same size till almost full grown will they? I was hopeing to get them together sooner...I only have 1 coop and a brood box,I don't want the little ones living in the brood box for months....

 

[babychicky]

And yes, I'm very tenderhearted....

 

[Megs]

i have my young birds mixed up to a month age difference and given enough space there has been no problems. I would give it a try and keep a close eye on them.

 

[babychicky]

I might try that

 

[BigSkyChickens]

We just integrated two sets of chicks. Barred Rocks that were 18 days old and Easter Eggers that were 5 days old. We figured the sooner the better, 'cause the older girls were growing fast.

We were very nervous, and watched very carefully - ready to separate at the first sign of blood.

We had also just moved the big girls to the big brooder, so I think they were highly distracted by the new environment. Perhaps new toys or some other distractions would help.

There was definitely some hard pecking the first day, but it eased up the second day. By the third or fourth day, they were a tight little flock.

Just make sure everyone is getting access to food & water. Best of luck!