As some of you may know I am now the proud owner of 19 Tyson broiler chicks. Until we can come up with a plan B they are sharing a large brooder on our screened porch with my 13 layer chicks - NNs, EEs, silkies, speckled sussex and faverolles. My layer chicks are a few days older and the broiler chicks are a tad bit bigger.
I am getting some negative feedback on keeping them together. Been told that the broiler chicks will starve out the layer chicks. Also been told that the broilers won't do anything but sit around and get fat.
So far everyone seems fine. They get along great together.
The broiler chicks do fill up on food when I first re-fill the feeders, but so do the layer chicks. There are plenty of times when no one is at the feeders or waterers, so it's not like the layer chicks don't have a chance at the feed if they want it. At night everyones crops are full.
I'm trying to take all the advice with a grain of salt. The broiler chicks that supposedly will only sit around and get fat are flying/jumping up to the top of the 18" high brooder sides and escaping the brooder like everyone else. I've taken a few of them at a time out to the yard for a field trip. They run, they chase bugs, they have play fights.
I guess I'm just looking for reassurance. I want my layer chicks to be fine, but I also want the broiler chicks to be okay.
I've been nagging my DH for ideas on a new set-up, but he's not feeling well and hasn't been much help.
I am getting some negative feedback on keeping them together. Been told that the broiler chicks will starve out the layer chicks. Also been told that the broilers won't do anything but sit around and get fat.
So far everyone seems fine. They get along great together.
The broiler chicks do fill up on food when I first re-fill the feeders, but so do the layer chicks. There are plenty of times when no one is at the feeders or waterers, so it's not like the layer chicks don't have a chance at the feed if they want it. At night everyones crops are full.
I'm trying to take all the advice with a grain of salt. The broiler chicks that supposedly will only sit around and get fat are flying/jumping up to the top of the 18" high brooder sides and escaping the brooder like everyone else. I've taken a few of them at a time out to the yard for a field trip. They run, they chase bugs, they have play fights.
I guess I'm just looking for reassurance. I want my layer chicks to be fine, but I also want the broiler chicks to be okay.
I've been nagging my DH for ideas on a new set-up, but he's not feeling well and hasn't been much help.