can i keep a hen with chicks in a coop with other chickens????

[jak2002003]

i've been wondering if its alright to keep a hen and chicks in a coop with other chickens. is that alright? or do i need to seperate them?

Think you just have to see. I have never had problems. I let my broody hens hatch out eggs quite often as I can sell the 'fancy bantams' easily and it help towards chicken food costs!

Sometimes even 2 hens will share the same nest and both look after the chicks.

Maybe it depends of the breed of chicken.

Mine are Japanese Bantams. I have many roosters, hens and chicks or different sizes all living together well. The key is space. If they have a large run and plenty and stuff the hens and chicks can hide behind etc then there should not be a problem.

Normally a hen with chicks turns into a very frightening bird to her flock mates and will see off any other hen or rooster that she thinks is getting too close to her chicks.

I let my hens nest, hatch and rear the chicks all together in the same enclosure. I don't think it would work if I took away the broody and re introduced her later after the chicks hatched.

 

[Eggcentric NanaJ]

I have a broody hen and want to get her 2 chicks to raise. I would like to keep her and the chicks in the coop with 13 other hens. How do I deal with water and feeder for the chicks. I plan on putting a Dog crate in a corner for them, so they have a safe place.
My ladies also have a 18' x 13' covered and enclosed (hardwire secured) run attached to the coop. Would this be a better place to have them?

 

[Chicken_tiger_catt]

I have a broody hen and want to get her 2 chicks to raise. I would like to keep her and the chicks in the coop with 13 other hens. How do I deal with water and feeder for the chicks. I plan on putting a Dog crate in a corner for them, so they have a safe place.
My ladies also have a 18' x 13' covered and enclosed (hardwire secured) run attached to the coop. Would this be a better place to have them?

in terms of food, you should feed chick start to the entire flock, and add crushed eggshell or oyster shell on the side. that way, the chicks get adequate nutrition, and the hens can produce healthy eggs.

 

[Carters Chick House]

My first flock of chickens were in a brooder with heat,then the grow out pen inside my coop. After that I let my broody hens set,hatch and care for their chicks right in with the flock. These two chicks were hatched 5 days ago and now they all hang out as one big happy flock.

 

[Eggcentric NanaJ]

Excellent and easy suggestion. The hens have Oyster Shell/Crushed Eggshell and Grit in sperate containers hanging on the run wall all the time now, so I have that already. Thank you!

 

[Eggcentric NanaJ]

My first flock of chickens were in a brooder with heat, then the grow out pen inside my coop. After that I let my broody hens set, hatch and care for their chicks right in with the flock. These two chicks were hatched 5 days ago and now they all hang out as one big happy flock.

That is what I did a year 1/2 ago too. I want to add a few new chicks every couple years. This hen just won't break brood, so I thought it was a good time.
Your hen and chicks are adorable.

 

[Eggcentric NanaJ]

This is Lucia. She has been broody for a month.