replacement chicks question

[HSerChickLady]

I'll be calling the hatchery tomorrow with our total number of losses and i want to replace those we lost. If they were by some chance able to send me replacements next week do you think this week's chicks would be too big to put them all together in one brooder?

If there is too much of an age difference right now do you think i'd be better off getting them anyhow and setting up a 3rd brooder or seeing if the hatchery will send the replacements in my July order?

 

[chloezoebob101]

How old are these chicks?
If they are within a few days old, your fine, just put them in there.

 

[CorinneP]

It is really a watch and see thing .. I tried two add to identical newer chicks to a hen .. she would only take one . then i tried to add the other chick with similar age chicks in a brooder .. What a ruckus ! Chick not accepted ! I finally had to add her to Chicks ten days older than she was she tried to cause trouble with them ( mind you she was 3 days old ) the older chicks set her straight and there she still stays .. Def want to watch for a while ! I would have an alternative available . But they might just cuddle right up .. yesterday I added some new ducks in with week old chicks .. it was instant Love !

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

you have to use your own best judge ment there. day old chicks depend on the hen to protect them and your new ones will be defenseless from curious pecks. the other aspect is how aggressive are the older chicks? my new ones are quite up frount and will peck out your eyes given an opportunity from day one. be safe, partion off the brooder until the new chicks are up and running.

 

[Apyl]

My flock ranges in age from 4 weeks to 8 weeks, everyone get along. Sure at first there is a pecking order issue but just watch the big chicks with the babies. Like anything new, the newbies become old and its not so much an issue. I never had an issue past the first day.

 

[gryeyes]

I have mixed chicks of different ages together in brooders, up to three weeks younger. Just watch 'em the first couple of days...

 

[HSerChickLady]

The chicks i have right now are this week's hatch, just 3 days old today. I don't know when the hatchery will be able to send my replacements until i call them tomorrow. That's why i wasn't sure if i wanted to get them ASAP and mix them with the current chicks or wait and see if they could just be added to the order i have arriving in late July. If i wait they'll all be from the same hatch. I guess i'll see when the hatchery would be able to send the replacements. If it's going to be a few weeks i think i'll just wait till July when my other order comes.

 

[chloezoebob101]

Oh! Then they should be just fine unless it takes a few weeks, but if they send them ASAP them you'll be good!

 

[HSerChickLady]

sounds good!