WWYD, combining different ages

[Concordmommy]

Ok, of course I HAVE to make things complicated. I'm getting 8 week old pullets and they also have two breeds that i really also want, but they are only 6 weeks old. would you

a: just get all same age chickens and give up the specific breed thing

b: get both and put the two 6 weekers in a brooder for a couple of weeks then introduce them with your 8 weekers (which will then be 10 weeks)

c: get both and just put them all together because 6 weeks is old enough for a coop? (not sure if that is true or not)

they are from the same place, same hatchery, etc etc. If I did "b" above would I still need to quarantine?

 

[aidenbaby]

Someone over in the raising chicks forum used a wire screen as a window so that the chicks could meet without killing each other and get used to each other. That might work for you.

 

[Concordmommy]

I guess my question would be, if they're only two or three weeks apart in age, do you need to do that?

 

[coffeelady3]

Just because you would have 2 different flocks, so to speak, I would definitely do the divider at first to let them get used to each other before the formal introduction.. I wouldn't think it would be nearly as traumatic as if you were trying to put them in with adults, but it's better to be safe than sorry.

 

[Judy]

C for me, definitely.

6 weeks should certainly be old enough for a coop. I would not consider putting them anywhere else. If you are in a really cold area and they don't look fully feathered, you might consider a plain old light bulb for heat, for a week or two.

Afraid I would get what I wanted and chuck them together. Though I'd have something handy to make a fast pen for the bad guys in case it got ugly. With a little luck, the change of environment will shake them up enough that they will just squabble and peck, rather than getting ugly.

 

[sherrydeanne]

Put them in the coop. The bigger question to me, is how many of each? 10 8-weekers and 2 6-weekers is asking for more possible trouble than an even amount of each. Give the 8 weekers some place small to hide in the coop. Try to put them in the coop in the evening (or watch them fairly closely until the first night).

They'll be fine

My current chicks range from 7-9 weeks and they're one happy flock (took them 2 days to get used to the youngins).

 

[KattyKillFish]

Quote:
me too. i would just put 'em in and watch them to make sure they don't start pecking one another. i had 2 week old quails with day old chicks and a one month old button quail. they all got along just fine and still do.

i would be a little careful about it. you don't want them beating each other up!

as for quarantine, just check each chick before you put them in with the others. look for ANY signs of illness. weakness, lethargy and wheezing. check the legs to see that all scales are clean and not flaky. be sure they show little or no signs of pain when moving the joints. check their wings for pain too. look at the combs to be sure they are not excessively pale.

i'm sure they will all get along just fine!

 

[Concordmommy]

Clarification--I am only getting five total birds, not 10 plus 2, not sure where that came in.

I'm kinda leaning toward just getting five all the same age, because I have read some horror stories about this and don't want too much trouble. I dunno...we'll see!!! thanks for all the replies!