I've been reading several recent posts that seem to have this same topic but wanted to check for any more insights from you more experienced chicken rustlers.
I "adopted" a smallish hen (half banty, from her suspected parentage) and her three hatchlings as a favor for a friend who was leaving for Japan. They have been in a separate run on one side of my coop, with an inside area fenced off from the others with plastic fencing. I knew the chicken and the flock well so was not overly concerned about disease but kept Mama and Babies separate both as a doublecheck and so that she could adjust to her new surroundings.
She was very fierce in guarding her chicks within the large flock but has been relatively peaceful here away from (but in clear sight and hearing of) the other hens. The chickens are getting to the leggy, "teenager" stage (but still nesting next to and under Mama at night) and I'm thinking that I'd better start integrating Mama and the Babies while she still has some motherly protective feelings for them. I really don't want to continue maintaining two "flocks". My other chickens are pretty aggressive toward newcomers.
Anyone's advice and experience with this type of merger? How have you protected chicks when combining flocks? Can one Mama take on 4 other hens if they harrass her or the chicks? (The rooster is very gentle.) All thoughts and suggestions much appreciated!
Sybil
I "adopted" a smallish hen (half banty, from her suspected parentage) and her three hatchlings as a favor for a friend who was leaving for Japan. They have been in a separate run on one side of my coop, with an inside area fenced off from the others with plastic fencing. I knew the chicken and the flock well so was not overly concerned about disease but kept Mama and Babies separate both as a doublecheck and so that she could adjust to her new surroundings.
She was very fierce in guarding her chicks within the large flock but has been relatively peaceful here away from (but in clear sight and hearing of) the other hens. The chickens are getting to the leggy, "teenager" stage (but still nesting next to and under Mama at night) and I'm thinking that I'd better start integrating Mama and the Babies while she still has some motherly protective feelings for them. I really don't want to continue maintaining two "flocks". My other chickens are pretty aggressive toward newcomers.
Anyone's advice and experience with this type of merger? How have you protected chicks when combining flocks? Can one Mama take on 4 other hens if they harrass her or the chicks? (The rooster is very gentle.) All thoughts and suggestions much appreciated!
Sybil