Staggered hatching and introducing new chick.

[Jennn27]

I have a new hatchling that's a few days old. It's in a brooder box, under a heat lamp and doing great. I also have an egg about to hatch in a few days in my bator. When is the best time to put them together, and what is the safest way to do it? Thanks!

 

[TheKindaFarmGal]

As soon as the new one is dried and walking well (maybe a day old), you can put them together. Keep an eye on the younger one to make sure it gets enough food. About how far apart will the chicks be in age?

 

[Jennn27]

So this happened last night!!!

The other one I have is maybe 5 days old.

 

[Blooie]

They'll be fine together...in fact they'll all appreciate the company! Yes, as @TheKindaFarmGal said, do make sure the littlest ones are getting food, but that's usually not an issue. I sometimes combine chicks that are more than a week apart in age and have never had an issue. Cute cute cute!

 

[Jennn27]

OK. Great! Thank you! I was quite surprised as there were no pips or anything last night when I went to bed. Guess they were in a hurry. lol

 

[Jennn27]

BTW....of the remaining eggs, only two of those are viable. I have moved the chicks out, so they don't knock the other eggs around. They are in a separate box for now. I want to give them time to get steady on their feet. Thanks, again!

 

[Jennn27]

Update: I put them together last night, and all is well! I tried to the other day, but there was some bickering, haha, so I seperated them with a screened window between the boxes, and that seemed to have helped.