Should I separate different breeds?

[SteveO]

I'm a newbie at raising chicks. I got 5 Australorp and 25 Cornish Cross a week ago. The Cornish Cross are growing much faster than the Australorp. I'm wondering if we should separate them? Will the little Australorps get picked on because they are much smaller?

Also I figured on keeping them all inside my garage for about 8 weeks (till they get feathers). Seeing how quickly the cross are growing I'm wondering if they should be put outside sooner? I understand they are to be slaughtered at 8 weeks, so when do I move them out to the coop?

One more question. Should the chicks be sleeping all day? I expected them to be more active. Am I doing something wrong? They liven up when I'm near them but when I walk away they all go back to sleep. They are just 1 week old, is that normal?

Thanks,
Sharon

[praieri winds]

I would keep them seperate from the cornish

[shanzone2001]

I have always kept mine together. The only thing is I was told the meat birds are to have food for 12 hours on and 12 hours off...
Mine have always been active at a young age. Maybe they are eating too much?

[imthedude]

head over to backyardchickens.com for a lot of good info on raising chicks. you've got the temp wrong if they're sleeping all the time. probably too warm would be my guess. are they way back away from the light (hot) or crowded under the light in a mass (cold)?