Broody Hens and Baby Chicks

[jamie.bramlett]

I have a Momma hen with 12 little bitties. She is separate from the other 16 Chickens I have. Another one of my hens (newly laying) decided to be broody. Can I put a broody hen in the same coop with a momma and babies?

I know broody hens can be aggressive. I don't want her to hurt the babies or Momma and the Broody hen have issues.

 

[BirdGirl2004]

I would think it would be okay, as long as the newest broody doesn't try to get ahold of the chicks... I would watch broods behavior with the mama and 12 babies, and you can always take the babies out if you need to. Also... 12 chicks?!? Thats a really good hatch rate.... good for you!
I would love for you to post some pictures of all your chicks/chickens... I LOVE to see other peoples breeds and such.
Good luck!

 

[50-45-1]

I would say no.
Your new broody needs quiet and solitude.
the activity of another hen and chicks tring to squeze in to the same area as her might break her broodiness.
They may figtht also as the hen with chicks will be protective of her chicks

 

[bobbi-j]

I would integrate the hen and chicks in with the rest of the flock before those babies get too old for the mama to want to protect them. I used to wait until babies were 8 weeks old or so, but read here on BYC that the sooner the better because mama would still be full of protective broody hormones. Boy, was that right! The broody I had last year (unfortunately, she got killed by a predator later last summer) would have her babies mingling with the flock within 24 hours of hatching. NOBODY went near her babies!

 

[aart]

She is separate from the other 16 Chickens I have.

How separate...like out of sight separate?
Best for broodies to set and hatch within sight of the flock,
then integrated back into the flock in the first week or so after hatch.

 

[chikenfarmer]

This is all great information for me too! I have a broody comet that hatched 2 bitties! They are probably a month old now or more. Kept them in spearate coop in the f

ence with rest of flock, but from reading this I need to start letting them frolick with the others

 

[jamie.bramlett]

I would integrate the hen and chicks in with the rest of the flock before those babies get too old for the mama to want to protect them. I used to wait until babies were 8 weeks old or so, but read here on BYC that the sooner the better because mama would still be full of protective broody hormones. Boy, was that right! The broody I had last year (unfortunately, she got killed by a predator later last summer) would have her babies mingling with the flock within 24 hours of hatching. NOBODY went near her babies!

This is great info. I assumed I should keep them separate. I forgot about the protective Nature of Momma Hens.

She is in a small coop currently with a small run. The rest of the flock is in my chicken condo (LOL) and they all free range. How do you suggest I move Momma and bitties in the condo?

 

[jamie.bramlett]

How separate...like out of sight separate?
Best for broodies to set and hatch within sight of the flock,
then integrated back into the flock in the first week or so after hatch.

Not out of site. I have a smaller coop near my "Condo" coop. She can see the rest of the flick and they visit with her during the day. The rest of the flock is free range. I have kept Mom and bitties in the small coop - not free range.

From reading the post, it seems I need to let her free range with the rest of the flock.