Hen and Chicks Question

[15chxinTX]

Hi there, I have a maran momma and 6 maran chicks (8-10 weeks old fully feathered). They are separate from our other 16 hens, but as the chicks are getting bigger and don't really fit under their momma anymore, I was wondering when it was safe to start letting them out with the other hens? Also how do we do that so that everyone will get along? Thanks for the help.

 

[Guinea Goonie]

The problem will be with the female chicks. If you have established roos in your flock they are going to try to put those pullets into their "harem". I have seen roos easily kill 8 to 10 week old pullets.

 

[15chxinTX]

Quote:
We don't have any roos. They are all girls. So no harem's at our house.

 

[Paraclete 2]

I would just let them mix, the mothers will take care of them and they should be fine. I let all my moms and baby chicks mingle with the entire flock from day one. Moms are generally very protective and will separate themselves from their chicks when it's time. If you hatched the chicks in the incubator, then it's different cause there are no moms to protect them. Then I don't introduce them to the flock until they are at least three months old or so. Good luck. Paraclete 2

 

[australorpchick]

My chicks get to mingle with the big flock for short periods of time when they're 3 - 4 weeks old. They stay with their mom in the "chick pen" located in the run, until mom's decided she's had enough. I haven't had any problem with my two roos picking on the chicks, actually the opposite. Roo #1 keeps on eye on them from a distance, but will call them over when he finds treats. Roo #2 has made it his personal responsibility to watch over the younger chickens.

 

[txredneckmedic]

I have a question...I have a broody australop that so far has hatched 2 chicks over 2 days and has like 6 eggs left that should be hatched in the next couple days. When will she start getting off the nest and showing the chicks how to do stuff? I thankfully seperated the chicks and momma from the rest of the group as she was a new addition as well as the eggs and she got thrown off her nest the first night. She is very protective while shes on the nest but today the two chicks came out of the nest and were getting pecked by the other hens. I thankfully saw it and put a stop to it as well as some wood so they couldnt peck the babys.

 

[lauralou]

Quote:
Well, normally people set all of the eggs at the same time, so they all hatch at nearly the same time. Usually, after a couple of days the hen has already taken the babies out and taught them things. It seems that she is waiting for the rest of the eggs to hatch.

In this situation, I think it's up to you to show the chicks how to do stuff. Dip their beaks in a water bowl so they learn how to drink, tap your fingernail on a feeder until they figure out how to eat... And make a separate area where the other hens can't get to them. They need protection, and their mother isn't there for them.

Good luck with them.

 

[txredneckmedic]

they have begun to eat, well the older one has. I have some food up in her nest with her as she refuses to get off the nest at all. Im thinking by friday im gonna pull the rest of the eggs.