First time mom of 7 chicks

[hmayhugh]

Our black Silkie recently hatched her first babies on 5/9-5/11. They are all very active and she so far is taking great care of them. We have a large coop and put plywood up to separate the hen from the rest of the flock a few days before she hatched. When do I take the divider down and let them all live in harmony?
Honestly, I’m terrified. We have 13 hens and 1 rooster, all different pure breeds. They all share the same coop and fenced in area, until I put plywood in to separate the mom and chicks from the rest of the flock.
The chicks are 10 days old now, do I trust mom to protect all 7 and let them out to mingle with the flock or wait a few weeks?

 

[TheYLWFlock]

You could try putting up a see through barrier later like wire so that they can see each other, but not get to each other. After a few days like that, let them go and observe them. Mom should do a pretty good job of protecting them. Trust me, I’ve been attacked by a very angry hen protecting her babies! They do their job.

Cute lil things, by the way!

 

[featherhead007]

Yes, take it slow, introduce them gradually! It's much safer.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Yes, take it slow, introduce them gradually! It's much safer.

X2!

 

[hmayhugh]

You could try putting up a see through barrier later like wire so that they can see each other, but not get to each other. After a few days like that, let them go and observe them. Mom should do a pretty good job of protecting them. Trust me, I’ve been attacked by a very angry hen protecting her babies! They do their job.

Cute lil things, by the way!

Thank you! Great advice, I have hardware wire I can replace the plywood with so they can see each other.

 

[hmayhugh]

Yes, take it slow, introduce them gradually! It's much safer.

Thank you! I will put wire between them this next week and maybe by week 3 I can supervise their time together.

 

[TheYLWFlock]

Sounds like a good plan!

 

[featherhead007]

Thank you! I will put wire between them this next week and maybe by week 3 I can supervise their time together.

That sounded more like inmates than chickens!...... sorry couldn't resist.