Hen with new chicks

[FeatherstoneFrm]

At what age will a hen introduce her new chicks to the flock. I have mamma and babies in a wire crate in the coop and want to know when to open it to let her take them out. I raised it up a few inches to keep them dry since we've had storms lately and I have an open coop (inside the run). I don't want them to fall out and not be able to get back in.
I'll make a little ramp for them when they are ready for it.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Totally depends on the hen and the flock.

If it is a hen that is at the low end of the pecking order, and you have aggressive hens in the flock who easily disturb or fluster her, it may be better to wait until the chicks are 3 to 4 weeks of age to prevent them from being trampled or abandoned or confused and separated.

If it is a hen who is assertive and knows how to tell nosy hens to get their beak out of her face, and you have a flock that is pretty chill, you can introduce as soon as the chicks are mobile....day 2 or 3.

If you have an attentive rooster, he will run interference between momma and babes and any hens that are trying to haze the "new" member as momma has been out of the flock for 3 weeks.

Some roosters can be aggressive towards babes too.

So the answer? Depends on your flock. I have had babes trampled at days 2 and 3 with lowly hens, and babes hatched and raised in the main coop and running with the flock by day 3 or 4 with assertive momma hens and an attentive rooster.

You can try but watch closely. It may be best to have her in an expandable pen to see how it goes then slowly integrate unless you know the flock is very chill with babes.

My experiences
LofMc

 

[chickens really]

Pecking order has nothing to do with Momma raising Chicks in a flock because she will defend her babies no matter her rank. You can let them in at about 3 to 5 days old ..

 

[Lady of McCamley]

I'm sorry, but I really have to disagree with pecking order not mattering. In my flock experiences over the last 8 years raising solely with broodies, I have seen a BIG difference in the effectiveness of a hen according to her flock order and temperament...whether lower docile or more upper assertive.

I can now, after about 3 generations in with broody hens, hatch, brood and fledge within the main coop without losing a single chick or having a chick trampled or abandoned.

However, I still have hens on my property who are lower ranking and tried to integrate them more this year....but lost every single chick to trampling accidents as the mother was hazed.

So in my experience, flock order and hen temperament makes a huge difference in chick survival. Some hens integrate within a few days. Others it is not safe until the chicks are old enough to run and avoid any conflicts with the big birds without getting confused and stranded.

LofMc