chicks hatched: do I need to separate them?

[wfwolfe]

my broody hen has hatched some of her eggs. so far three that I know of.I have been busy today due to my wife's birthday so there might me more now. they are in the top of a chicken tractor. there is also a rooster and two hens in the tractor. I have a ramp for the chickens to get from the ground to the elevated coop. it is made from a 5/4 X6 board with wire attached for tread. Will the chicks be alright with the other chickens? will they be able to go up and down the ramp without problems? I have a pen I can put the hen with the chicks if I need to. I have also got baby chick medicated feed so I can give them food and water tomorrow morning(5/13). I saw no sign of the chicks yesterday so I think they hatched late in the evening or early this morning. Thanks for your answers.

frank

 

[Knock Kneed Hen]

I'd move mama and babies to their own pen. They'll stay under her for the first couple of days, but once they start coming out the others could kill them either intentionally or unintentionally.

 

[Achickenwrangler#1]

Depends on how much room you have. Can they move away from the other chickens? Sometimes the rest of the flock needs the protection from broody mama!! Watch and see, interveneif needed, the hen will keep her chicks away from the others, given enough space.

 

[wfwolfe]

the tractor is about 4x8 with a two level coop on top. there are 8 nesting boxes in the coop. I had to clean out the nest where she was setting today, it was smelling bad. the leftover eggs were all bad. I knew 6 were to old but not the others. she was setting on 13 eggs. the chicks are doing great at present. they are walking around the coop. I placed medicated starter and water for them this morning.