Chicks, Mama and the rest of the flock

[crzychicken]

Hi How do you keep the chicks out of the feeder with layer food in it ?

when should I let Mama and her chicks in with the rest?

they are all in the same coop just mama and the chicks are wired off from the rest they can see one another, they are 5 weeks old fully feathered and the rest of the flock free range during the day.
Thank you
crzychicken from Mass

 

[rachaelc]

My dads coop has the layer food suspened in a feededbucket. That way it's a bit highter or you can make it a little higher above the babies.
The trick is to keep the hens out of the chick food. They sure like that!!. It sounds like the babies are big enough to hang out with the big girls. Good luck. I'm sure they will have fun.
RachaelC mother of all

 

[gumpsgirl]

The mama will let her babies know what they can and can't eat.

Now for your next question about when to introduce the chicks to the flock. It wouldn't be a good idea to add chicks younger than 18 wks. old to a layer flock. The laying hens are much bigger than the chicks and can be quite mean to them. Mama might be ready to go back with the flock anytime in the next week or so, but the chicks need to stay separated, which would take care of them eating the layer feed.