What are the risks for combining my chicks?

[Holdthechicken]

I have two 3+ week old chicks together, a buff silke and D’uccle. Today I picked up a blue Orpington and blue silkie, the Orpington still has her egg tooth, so they are very new babies but very lively.

When I brought the two blues home today I let the four socialize and the two bigger babies did great. My D’uccle acted like their mother stretching her wings and allowing them under her and pushing them toward the feeder, my silkie seemed to do the same.

I’m all but certain my silkie is male, he’s already got color in his straight comb, and he stares at me and stands like a little cockerel.

If there’s no aggression, what are the risks? Can I leave them all in one brooder?

 

[Lacy Duckwing]

The Buff Silkie could trample the new smaller ones. That's a risk. Outside of that, I wouldn't be overly concerned about unless you saw the Silkie being "hyper" (flying around a lot, challenging the D'uccle). I've put younger chicks in with older chicks successfully and I actually just saw someone else doing the same last night. Something to the newer chicks' benefit, the Orpingtons are standards unlike the D'uccle and the smaller breed, Silkie. They'll outgrow them in no time.

 

[HollowOfWisps]

If the brooder is large and no one is bullying it should not be too much of an issue. I have done it several times with a large brooder and had no issues. However, I personally would not put 3 week old chicks in with a couple day olds if the brooder is very small due to trampling concerns.

 

[Brooks_]

Size difference would be my only concern at that stage. I would say to section off an area for the little ones for a few days.

 

[Holdthechicken]

The Buff Silkie could trample the new smaller ones. That's a risk. Outside of that, I wouldn't be overly concerned about unless you saw the Silkie being "hyper" (flying around a lot, challenging the D'uccle). I've put younger chicks in with older chicks successfully and I actually just saw someone else doing the same last night. Something to the newer chicks' benefit, the Orpingtons are standards unlike the D'uccle and the smaller breed, Silkie. They'll outgrow them in no time.

Thank you for the insight, so far this little silkie is very calm, but also very young so I’ll keep an eye if he starts getting chest bumpy.

 

[Holdthechicken]

If the brooder is large and no one is bullying it should not be too much of an issue. I have done it several times with a large brooder and had no issues. However, I personally would not put 3 week old chicks in with a couple day olds if the brooder is very small due to trampling concerns.

Thank you! I do think the brooder is large enough, it’s an X-LARGE dog kennel. I could put the new babies in a secondary brooder that we have but it’s a plastic tote setup that was my first but wasn’t my favorite.

 

[Holdthechicken]

Size difference would be my only concern at that stage. I would say to section off an area for the little ones for a few days.

I’m not sure I would have enough room in the brooder to have two sections with warmers and feeders, I do have two brooder set up’s.. but I was hoping to have to do less integration to my older birds later if possible. But of course safety is my main concern for the tiniest of our flock

 

[Brooks_]

I’m not sure I would have enough room in the brooder to have two sections with warmers and feeders, I do have two brooder set up’s.. but I was hoping to have to do less integration to my older birds later if possible. But of course safety is my main concern for the tiniest of our flock

Then just monitor. I don't think the odds are against on this, just not ideal.

 

[janiedoe]

I don't think it's an issue. I've raised standards with bantams. If you are using a heat plate or a mama heating pad, make sure they have access from all directions, so no one gets caught in the back and can't get out.

 

[Holdthechicken]

I don't think it's an issue. I've raised standards with bantams. If you are using a heat plate or a mama heating pad, make sure they have access from all directions, so no one gets caught in the back and can't get out.

Okay super happy for this advice, it *was* against the back of the cage. Thank you!