chicks 3 weeks old no mama

[saildog]

the mama hen ignored the chicks and sat on other eggs so i have them separated since ay 3 .
they are 3 weeks old .
now i want to put them back in the coop - is it too early?
i will try to segregate them within a corner of the coop for a few weeks , but at least the others can see them and get used to them.
sound ok?
any chance a hen will become protective of them and show them the way? i have 15 adults , and 3 --- 4 months , and these 5 --- 3 weeks.

 

[Judy]

It's unlikely another hen will adopt them, but it happens. It would be best if they grew up within sight of the others, but separated, as by a chicken wire fence. If you combine the flocks before the chicks are grown, they could be attacked and killed, so if you try it, they will need close supervision.