6 weeks old...with foster mom?

[bunchlane]

I have a one year old hen with bad legs, but holds her own in the flock and is healthy. She is very nurturing and highly interested in the new batch of 6 week old chicks I just put outside today, in separate coop. Should I allow her to join the babies? She hasnt left them all day and nestled down close by the coop fencing. Suggestions?

 

[azygous]

This happened in my flock some years back. I had brooded chicks in my run, and when the chicks turned six weeks, Su-su, a GLW hen decided to go partially broody and she took over their care, protecting them and teaching them flock protocol. She kept faithfully at her job until the chicks were four months old, then she decided they could be on their own from there on.

I suggest you leave your hen to her adopted task.