Babies meeting the big girls help

[andreanar]

I had a broody hatch 3 chicks. They, and mama, are in a cage inside the coop. They are 7 days old. How do I go about letting them around my 6 other hens? I cant keep them in the cage forever! Will mama protect them? The other girls have seen them since day 1 of course, inside the cage. Im scared!

 

[Alicat4244]

Mama will protect her babies . We've been through this twice now . The others were curious but if any got too close she put them in their place lol

 

[KentuckyJanet]

Like you I have a broody hen and she has 9 babies . They are 2 weeks. Like you, I was scared to open the door. They have been in a separate area in the coop from day 1 but seen by everyone. Well I opened the door today. Its going great so far. Nobody has bothered the babies and momma has put several in their place when they got too close. I am sure it will go well for you as well. good luck!

 

[Pork Pie]

Good advice above. In my experience, very young chicks rarely come to any harm from adult birds - the adults being seemingly more bemused by chicks rather than anything else.

 

[CSAchook]

In my experience, very young chicks rarely come to any harm from adult birds - the adults being seemingly more bemused by chicks rather than anything else.

It is so hard not to worry! But everything I have heard or read says earlier introduction is better. I had my first broody hatch earlier this year and waited a bit too long before the introduction (babies were three weeks). It still went ok, but next time I will try introducing them much earlier. I think at one week they will be moving well and of course they will have momma for guidance and protection. Pick a time and day you can supervise, then go for it! And let us know how it goes.

 

[andreanar]

Will mama be able to protect them even tho she's lowest in peck order and gets bossed around herself?

 

[andreanar]

I did it! I let them out. Mama took them a bit away from the others. I hen followed them and pecked at a baby. Mama did nothing!

 

[CSAchook]

Did she hurt the baby? If not, try not to worry and please don’t loose heart. In my recent broody experience, my momma proved to be a runner, not a fighter BUT the babies never took any harm or injury even with a cowardly mother. The big girls quickly lost interest in the littles and the littles learned not to get to close to the bigs. Everything worked out fine.

I would suggest supervising as much as you can over the next few days and follow the usual integration advice: plenty of space, places to hide, and multiple feed and water stations. It will be okay!

 

[CSAchook]

Forgot to add, your babies are ADORABLE

 

[andreanar]

Forgot to add, your babies are ADORABLE

No she didn't hurt the baby. And the other girls didn't even seem interested. I just watched closely. I put them back in their cage in the coop for the night, but will let them out again tomorrow. The babies were so tired!