To get newborns or not? Same age better?

[truebluexf]

We have 3 chicks about 6 weeks old I guess, we just got them over the weekend. We need 2 more. Is it better to find 2 more around the same age, or order newly hatched babies? The newly hatched ones will take another month or so to get, of course. Which would be easier to integrate?

 

[JenEric Farms]

I would look for 2 around the same age (give or take a week or two).

 

[chicmom]

I think, it's always easier to integrate chicks that are equal in size....But do I ever do something practical like that? OF COURSE NOT!

Right now, I've got 7 adult hens in the hen house, 14 eight week old chicks in the A-frame (my baby coop), and then I've got 6 three week old chicks in the large brooder, and then two three day old chicks in the small brooder......

I may never learn.....

But eventually, they all can be integrated. I let the adult hens and the 14 eight week olds free range together, and they're really getting used to eachother. The younger ones have been exploring the large hen house lately.......I will put them all together in the hen house soon......Then I'll move the house brooder babies into the A-frame when it's warm enough........

Integration can be tough, but you can do it......

 

[truebluexf]

Thanks. Hopefully we will find some this weekend!