Broody hen hatched 3 chicks - now what?

[COOPhilly]

After 7 weeks of being broody and sitting on wooden eggs, I figured the only way to get my Buff Orpington to stop being broody was to let her hatch some eggs. I got four eggs from a friend and three of them hatched yesterday.

We had already moved her from the coop to a brooder pen the day before they hatched.

She is very protective of the chicks, sitting on them, keeping them warm and growling at us when we get too close.

My question is, now what? There is water and chick feed in the pen.

1. Will she teach them to drink from the waterer?
2. What if she doesn't?
3. When do I integrate them all back into the coop?
4. How long will she watch over them?
5. Should I let them free range with or without the other chickens?

Thanks for any help. Here's the best pics:

 

[cmom]

I would keep them separated for awhile. If the broody is a good mom she will watch over the chicks and just as she growls at you she will also growl at any other bird that gets to close to her chicks.

 

[COOPhilly]

Thanks! That answers #3. Any other takers out there?

 

[amarook]

I have no experience with a broody so I can offer no help.
But OMG is that a cute pic of those little chicks under her.

 

[keljonma]

You have some real cuties there!

Leave the chicks and mama alone. Make sure they have fresh water and feed every day. Make sure you are not feeding the chicks layer feed.

If you have heavy dew in the morning, don't let the babies follow mama outside into the grass, as they could get chilled. But after they are a bit older, and the weather is fine, they can follow mama outside. It is best to let them out when the rest of the flock is not outside, so that they are not hassled by the rest of the flock. You don't want mama hen injured trying to defend her chicklettes while they still need her.

A good mama hen will teach them everything they need to know. Our Jersey Black Giant hen is an excellent mama hen!

 

[bstarr20]

have faith in mama she will teach them all they need to know
make sure they have food and water and she will do the rest

 

[COOPhilly]

Fabulous! Thanks so much keljonma. What a great looking Jersey Giant you have there. I can't believe how big the babies are and she's still taking them under her wing.

Chick Food - check
Water - check
Isolation from the other hens - check
Sunshine - check
Faith in mama - check

And yes, that is an adorable pic of the little chickies poking out from under her. DH is good with the camera.

 

[keljonma]

Quote:
Those chicks were 4 weeks old in that picture!