my 4 week old chicks....and also 2 ameracaunas that may be 5-6 weeks old?..i put them in the big girls brooder today..cause i also have 1 week old chicks..and i need to keep the temps higher for the younger ones, and because i noticed that the older ones were panting a bit when i had to turn on the heat light at night(havent had it on during the day..its been to hot here)...i put them in with the older ones today..and some of the older ones did go after them...then they stopped...then..they tried again..and it was only select few that went after them..my black sex link, my silver lakenvelder, and one ameracauna...they seem okay right now...a bit nervous..but okay...should i keep them in there overnight...or..do you think they will be killed...thanks, Wendy
I have never lost a chick to other chickens. *knocks on wood* 6 weeks is about the age when I add chicks in with my hens. They do get picked on for the first little while, but it eventually stops. Good luck! Jess
Its been almost 2 weeks now and my 12 week old babies are still getting picked on by the 3 older hens i have out with them but it only gets bad when they are bedding down for the night and usually only lasts a few minutes. Only one of the older hens is the "bad one" the others snuggle up with the little ones. I think the 2 wk olds would be fine with the 4 wk olds once they get used to each other but i would keep a close eye on them for the first few days. I still run out to the coop in the middle of the night to check on mine (i think i have seperation anxiety) LOL! Good luck and i hope everything goes well with the transition
thanks guys...i had to take the babies out of the" big girls brooder" this morning...i noticed that some of the older ones were bothering them when they tried to eat....and they were still hiding in the corner......so..for now, they are back with the smaller ones..thanks again...Wendy
I put my one week olds in with my 2 1/2 week olds and they all did great! I don't think they had a chance at that young age to develop a pecking order yet maybe and that's why they were fine? I don't know but no one picked on no one. And I even have a TINY Serama in with the girls and they are all good with her too.