Mixing chicks from different farms

tpaq1972 · Post by **tpaq1972** » Tue Apr 05, 2016 10:01 am

Has anyone bought chicks from 2-3 different places and brood them together in the same box?
I am worried about the cocci as it is different from all places. Are they born with cocci or would they only get it gradually as they aged?
I am looking at chicks from 3 different places, all chicks would be less than 1 week old and would be put on medicated feed. Do you think there would be any problems?

goatgal35 · Post by **goatgal35** » Tue Apr 05, 2016 10:26 am

Many years ago we hatched out a bunch of chicks. We the bought chicks from a different source, brought them home and put them with the chicks we already had. Within a few days I had sick babies and with in a week all chicks were dead. I have also bought chicks from several sources and brooded them together successfully. I guess it depends on the health of the chicks you are mixing together. Good Luck.

Post by **WLLady** » Tue Apr 05, 2016 11:07 am

it would be in your interest to not mix vaccinated and non-vaccinated chicks....make sure either they are all vaccinated, or none of them are. But yes, you can mix bunches of chicks...precautions about health status suggested by goatgal35!!!! i always feed mixed chick flocks a medicated starter feed from day 1, so cocci are taken care of. I've had several batches/broods do just fine.

ross · Post by **ross** » Tue Apr 05, 2016 11:11 am

goatgal35 wrote:QR_BBPOST Many years ago we hatched out a bunch of chicks. We the bought chicks from a different source, brought them home and put them with the chicks we already had. Within a few days I had sick babies and with in a week all chicks were dead. I have also bought chicks from several sources and brooded them together successfully. I guess it depends on the health of the chicks you are mixing together. Good Luck.

Agree .. If any disease in one bunch it will spread to others from other bunch . Lucks

Post by **Home Grown Poultry** » Tue Apr 05, 2016 11:15 am

very good point about vaccinated birds... i didnt think of that at all!

la-chicken · Post by **la-chicken** » Wed Apr 06, 2016 9:44 am

Vigour of chicks needs to be considered as well. Mixing less vigour chicks within the flock could create stress on the chicks and the chicks will not thrive as they should.

G Williams · Post by **G Williams** » Wed Apr 06, 2016 2:46 pm

It's not a "Best Practice". You can get away with it, but not always. It depends on the disease profile of the different flocks.

tpaq1972 · Post by **tpaq1972** » Wed Apr 06, 2016 3:44 pm

I think I have decided against this. Not worth the risk. I will just have to buy more from the same person! lol

ross · Post by **ross** » Wed Apr 06, 2016 4:23 pm

tpaq1972 wrote:QR_BBPOST I think I have decided against this. Not worth the risk. I will just have to buy more from the same person! lol

Good move . Luck

Post by **Killerbunny** » Wed Apr 06, 2016 4:26 pm

Probably the best idea.