Adding babies... kind of...

[mamaj323]

So I have 21 three week olds in a brooder coop in a sectioned off part of my run. I have a mama hen with 6 one week olds. The one week old have been out with mama for 5 days and the three week olds ventured outside two days ago. Both are small enough to run back and forth between sections and get along fine. I was watching and the current flock is ignoring the 3 wk olds when they venture through. Do they assume they are mama's babies? Can I just drop the divider now or should I still do the few weeks of separation for integration?

 

[LindaB220]

So I have 21 three week olds in a brooder coop in a sectioned off part of my run. I have a mama hen with 6 one week olds. The one week old have been out with mama for 5 days and the three week olds ventured outside two days ago. Both are small enough to run back and forth between sections and get along fine. I was watching and the current flock is ignoring the 3 wk olds when they venture through. Do they assume they are mama's babies? Can I just drop the divider now or should I still do the few weeks of separation for integration?

Watching too. A problem I'll have to address soon.

 

[Mrs. K]

hmmmm ..... is mama separated from the flock or from the 3 week old chicks? Sometimes broody hens will accept them, sometimes not. I think I would leave the escape fencing for now, and just watch...... it is a tricky deal with the different sizes.

My mama has always been kept with the flock, she will tend to be between the flock and the babies. The babies quickly learn which side of mama to be on, and the layers quickly learn to leave the babies alone..... so that might be what happened. Mama jumped the layers about her babies, and the layers are not taking chances?

Mrs K

 

[mamaj323]

Yes mama put the smack down on day two! So maybe the layers are just being careful. The set up is fine the way it is, I just thought if it could be easier why not?

 

[Den in Penn]

I have noticed that the more often that a broody has raised chicks with a flock the more accepting that flock is with chicks in general. I think Mrs.K has the gist of it in that the flock just isn't too concerned since there is a broody with chicks present. And they can't count well enough to know for sure they aren't all hers.

 

[mamaj323]

Thanks everyone! I'm going to do some supervised experimenting.

 

[mamaj323]

Well its been 30 minutes of everyone getting along! This might be the easiest integration ever!!!

 

[mamaj323]

The flock has accepted them as more of mama's babies. The rooster even called them over for treats.

 

[Mrs. K]

That is when a broody hen is priceless! Once you go this route, it is hard to go back to the heat lamp and daily cleaning of the brooder. I just stuck chicks under my broody tonight..... so far, the rest of the flock is fine with them.

Mrs K