I followed the advice on this site, and we built a brooder for our chicks right next to the bigger birds in the hen house. Put them out there at 4 weeks. This last weekend, we opened up a hole big enough for them to get in and out of but small enough that the others can't get in.
The chicks, now 7 weeks, are happily going in and out ALL BY THEMSELVES (it is above the nesting boxes) and the bigger hens have not yet beat them up, AND it hasn't disturbed laying!!!!
Tonight I went to put the lone chick back and she ran around me in circles pecking at my pants - with the commotion ALL the older birds came running in to see what's wrong including the roo. This is going VERY well.
The chicks, now 7 weeks, are happily going in and out ALL BY THEMSELVES (it is above the nesting boxes) and the bigger hens have not yet beat them up, AND it hasn't disturbed laying!!!!
Tonight I went to put the lone chick back and she ran around me in circles pecking at my pants - with the commotion ALL the older birds came running in to see what's wrong including the roo. This is going VERY well.
