Hatching chicks under a broody in a pen with a new roo

[UrbanFarmerGreg]

I wouldn't normally have an issue about letting my 2 broody hens hatch out the eggs they are sitting on... but around the same time they started sitting I got a new roo in our breeding program. Its the first time these 2 hens have hatched any eggs for me and I don't know about the rooster. Is there any reason for me to be worried? Will the hens fight over the chicks or kill them? Will the new roo try to kill them because the chicks aren't his or will he even know? Please help, any info is appreciated. thanks

 

[HEChicken]

First, no, the roo will not know they are not his chicks. However I would be concerned about adult birds having access to newly hatched chicks as many people have reported having issues with the babies being killed. I usually separate my broody hens so that when the chicks hatch, they are safe from the rest of the flock. This is as simple as a small run within the main coop - the birds can all still see one another an interact, but the broody hen doesn't have to worry about other hens squeezing into her nest and adding their eggs to her clutch, and after the chicks have hatched, they are safe from the rest of the flock.