3 mother brood hens in same brood area -- Any "family fights" ????

[TenOC]

I have 3 brood hens setting in a 4 ft by 4 ft brood area. The eggs should hatch Monday. I hope to get about 20 chicks total from the 3 hatching. Will the three "family" broods live together in peace or will each hen try to protect her family and fight the other family chicks? Or as I hope will all the chicks mix together into one large flock with 3 co-mothers?

Second question: Do I need to put some type of heat (a light) in the brood area or will the mother hens take care of the heat requirement?

Assuming that the mothers will supply the heat, is a light at night suggested so the chicks will eat 24 hours a day? That is, do I need a small light (not for heat) but for activity?

 

[sourland]

1) The hens may co-mother or try to control their 'own' brood. This will depend upon the temperment of the individual hens.

2) The mothers will provide adequate warmth and protection for the chicks.

3) No night light is required.

 

[TenOC]

An update

The Silkie mother accept ALL the chicks and attempts to protect them. One hen (a black one) is somewhat selective of which chick she thinks are hers. She does not like the white chicks. When she attacks or pecks one, the Silkie hen attacks her and pecks her. She is begin to get the point not to attack any chicks. The other hen (a red one) is complete passive. She acts as if she is still sitting on a nest trying to hatch chicks. Thus the chicks use her for warmth.

Overall I am happy with the family