What's the best way to introduce chicks of different ages?

[4chicks4me]

Hi,

I got my first two chicks two weeks ago, and bought two more the following week. I thought that since there was only a week between them I'd be able to put them together right away, but I've been surprised by how much bigger the older chicks are. I've read a few posts about introducing baby chicks with full grown chickens, but was wondering if it would be different for my chicks since they're only a week apart. (Right now the older chicks are about twice the size of the younger chicks, even though they're only a week apart.)

Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Thank you!

 

[jossanne]

I've never had any problem mixing chicks. None at all. Good luck!

 

[Laurieks]

if they clash let them be in adjacent pens/cages if possible. I have some 3 weeks apart, and the big ones are fierce with the littles, so they have separate tractors.

 

[chicken_china_mom]

I have 14 twelve day old chicks and 4 days ago I put in a brand new chick with them and had absolutely no problems. I have a new batch that I just purchased today from TSC that I will put in with them once I am sure they will all live, plus I have about 20 or so hatching in my incubator right now that will go in with them once they are done hatching. If anyone gets bullied, I will pull them and separate them for a few days to a week and then try to reintroduce them and see how that goes. So far my 12 day olds are so gentle and sweet with the new baby. 8 of them are standard EE's, and the other 6 are Bantam Cochins, and the brand new baby is a Bantam Cochin, and was sooooo tiny when I got it (long story, but I guess you could say I'm the baby's grandma, lol), that it could have easily fit inside a walnut! And they never once pecked it. In fact, one of the EE's has taken to protecting the baby and hides it under it's body (hoping it's a pullet?)

 

[SkyWarrior]

I am a total newbie, but I have mixed chicks with great success. I have 5 week old birds, 2 week old birds and 1 week olds. The 5 week olds had been used to smaller chicks and have become the mother hens of the brood, taking the smaller chicks literally under their wings. It's really amazing how loving they are.

I just introduced geese and turkey chicks and the hens took them right in too. All of them play, eat and get along.

 

[Backyard Farm]

Shouldn't be too hard. If they are in separate brooders now, I would suggest adding the older chicks to the younger chicks brooder. Messes up their "MOJO". Makes the bigger chicks a little more humble for a few days... by then they are all friends.

 

[4chicks4me]

Thanks so much for all the advice! I'm going to try to put them together this weekend.

 

[NonnasBabies]

All I can say is be careful and watch them VERY close!! I thought the same thing "put them together with no problems" I just posted a couple of days ago when someone else asked that question!! It had been 4 days and no problems!! Well all I can tell you is that I came home from work yesterday to one dead baby!

and 2 more with completly featherless bloody bottoms... I quickly seperated all my 2 week olds from the others (3-6 weeks) The one that was dead had it's bottom completly ripped open!! I am SO PO'ed at myself becuase I "knew" better but like I say everything was going great!! Not one time did I see one of the older ones even peck at the babies or show any aggression what so ever!! This is heartbreaking cause it's the first one I have ever lost....

Good Luck!!

Missi

 

[felidaet]

I got the first of this years chicks last Friday. They ranged in age from a couple of days to almost 2 weeks old. I have added more chicks to the brooder twice this week that were about 3 days old. No problems. I will add a few more tomorrow.

Some of the older ones are twice the size of the younger ones but they are all getting along great. The chicks have lots of space in the brooder and so far they are only using 1/3 of it. I have a temporary divider in it to keep them in a smaller area (it is easier to keep warm). I am going to move the divider tomorrow to open up more space for them. The I will completly remove the divider in another week. I think the extra space helps keep them from pecking.

 

[SkyWarrior]

Quote:

So sorry to hear that. Poor babies!