2 incubators 1 brooder

serge · **Joined:** Thu May 19, 2011 8:34 am **Posts:** 4

I have 2 incubators now thanks to ebay but only 1 brooder now I was told not to mix chicks from the 2 incubators but with only 1 brooder what to do. So is it true I should not mix the 2 clutches together?

Rhode Red · **Posted:** Thu May 19, 2011 2:40 pm

Serge,

Depends if there is an age difference and the size of the brooder. You will be very surprised how much chickens grow over the first 3 weeks. Even in the first week. I don't mix ages in the brooder. The week olds are just too active for the day olds, they run and jump all over the younger ones and worse as the age gap widens.

Rhode Red

BONUSEGGS · **Joined:** Fri May 20, 2011 11:52 am **Posts:** 1

If the brooder is big enough just split into 2 using a perforated material. I did using 1/2 inch bird wire so I could have 2 type of quails in the 1 brooder

serge · **Joined:** Thu May 19, 2011 8:34 am **Posts:** 4

Ok now why didn't I think of that thanks mate

OakA · **Posted:** Wed May 25, 2011 10:13 am

Serge ,
It is not a matter of mixing hatches from the 2 incubators but as Rhode Red has suggested it is mixing ages.
You could if your brooder is a hover type divide into more than 1 or 2 compartments by dividing with a barrier of mesh or other perforated non flamable material into say 2 , 3 or 4 areas to accomodate different ages.
I try as far as possible to seperate age groups but do like a couple of last weeks hatch in with new hatchlings to show them where feed and water are etc just as a hen might do.
Once they are feathered and have sufficient room I then combine ages, the secret is to not over crowd as this leads to feather picking and can even result in death from canabilism.
Generally I find 3 brooders (can be as simple as a light globe suspended) is sufficient to accomodate the various ages.
One thing I would not advise is putting ducklings and chickens together, the ducks love water and make a mess that creates damp etc which is not healthy for the chickens.If you have both I keep separate brooders for each.
I was lucky and purchased a set of tennis court lights at a clearing sale for under $20, instead of a screw in light globe I replaced the lamp with a ceramic heat lamp as used to keep reptiles or piglets warm and have a low watt light globe as well to provide minimal light for the chicks to feed etc but also rest day and night.

serge · **Joined:** Thu May 19, 2011 8:34 am **Posts:** 4

Thanks very much so well explained I appreciate that

Corey · **Joined:** Mon Jun 06, 2011 3:32 pm **Posts:** 1

You can buy a multi brooder from the online stores they come in 2 or 4 compartments and made of plastic so easy to clean

serge · **Joined:** Thu May 19, 2011 8:34 am **Posts:** 4

Thanks everyone I ended up dividing it up into 3 and it worked perfect thanks for the suggestion really good

Stolinfarm · **Joined:** Sun Jun 19, 2011 11:26 am **Posts:** 5

I am currently making a 4 way brooder that the dividers can be removed if needed. Each section has its own heater so the chicks get direct heat but all 4 give over all heat to the brooder

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