Should i keep baby chicks seperated?

[Kristinadukhin]

I have a bunch of chicks already, some are 8 weeks, some are 6 weeks some are 5 weeks. We just put them outside into their coop. Yesterday I bought two more couple day old chicks. They are inside in their brooder. Is it ok for it to be just the two of them? Is it ok to keep them separated? Should i let them spend some time in the run with the others during the day?

 

[Broodygranny]

The bigger ones may peck and hurt the new, small ones.

 

[ChickenLady2014]

I have a bunch of chicks already, some are 8 weeks, some are 6 weeks some are 5 weeks. We just put them outside into their coop. Yesterday I bought two more couple day old chicks. They are inside in their brooder. Is it ok for it to be just the two of them? Is it ok to keep them separated? Should i let them spend some time in the run with the others during the day?

Hi Kristinadukhin, it's ok for them to be in the brooder alone. It's very possible that if you tried integrating them at this age the older chicks might pick at them too much.

 

[Kristinadukhin]

The bigger ones may peck and hurt the new, small ones.

That's what I'm worried about!

 

[Kristinadukhin]

Hi Kristinadukhin, it's ok for them to be in the brooder alone. It's very possible that if you tried integrating them at this age the older chicks might pick at them too much.

Thank You! Tbats what I'm worried about. What would be a good age to integrate them?

 

[ChickenLady2014]

Thank You! Tbats what I'm worried about. What would be a good age to integrate them?

I would at least wait until they are fully feathered & not in need of a heat source. Then maybe try some supervised play time with the older chicks. If you have extra room where you could partition off a small area with fence between the older chicks & younger chicks it would give them some much needed look but not touch period.

 

[Kristinadukhin]

I would at least wait until they are fully feathered & not in need of a heat source. Then maybe try some supervised play time with the older chicks. If you have extra room where you could partition off a small area with fence between the older chicks & younger chicks it would give them some much needed look but not touch period.

Thanks so much! I will try that!

 

[ChickenLady2014]

Thanks so much! I will try that!

You a very welcome, it will take a bit but eventually they will all intergrate. It helps also to have little hidey holes that the bigger chicks can't fit in anymore, but the younger ones can. This gives them a safe place to pop onto if the Biggers aren't playing nice. Good luck with all your chicks