Hens with chicks

[CHKNFMR]

Here's the new mommies with their chicks...**Pic heavy*

I gave the hens little snacks along with making sure food and water was close at hand while they were brooding. That may be why they let me handle the chicks as easy as they do. It is way too cute to watch them rise up and let the little ones run around some then go snuggle under mommies wings.

 

[CHKNFMR]

16 out of 19 made it!!! And were all over the coop yesterday when I got home from work. The poor hens were all over trying to keep up with them all. Poor ole rooster didn't know what to think with all these little peeps running all around. He hasn't tried to get near them to hurt them and both hens share all the chicks. Here's a pic from my cell of some of them. The others were all over the place.

 

[Sahara]

I have two hens with chicks at this time and I had to separate them. I tried putting them together and they would have nothing to do with it.

I always separate the mother hen and her chicks from the rooster just because I have seen him try to peck the little ones. That may not be the case with everyone.

I really think it depends on the chickens. They all have different personalities. You just have to observe how they react with each other.

 

[HillCountryMomma]

Well,

I've only had 3 broody hens hatch out chicks so keep that in mind! I've never had a broody attack/kill another hen though. My first two broodies just happily walked around with the flock with their babies trotting behind them. Both were sweet, mellow hens though. My Barred Rock hen is just finishing up a hatch... 10 sweet little babies and one still peeping in the egg! She is about a foot and a half from my Jersey Black Giant who is on day 14 of a mixed batch of turkey and chicken eggs. Neither hen is the least bothered by the other. As a matter of fact, when I went out once today the BR was off her nest sitting right over my the Jersey and they were both totally content.

My rooster likes the baby chicks. I have 18 youngsters that just came out of their tractor to free range during the day. They range in age from 10 weeks to 6 weeks. Two are roosters, and my big roo has made sure to let the little buggers know he's the boss (a quick peck on the head if they get too cocky with him, Jr. his son actually was stupid enough to challenge Big Red... dumb kid). Otherwise, he either ignores them or clucks at them and shows them bugs and other food just like he does his hens. He's a pretty mellow rooster though, and very attentive and loving towards his hens. He's a great big Rhode Island Red.

I think I'd just watch your girls. If they are acting nervous/agressive then seperate them. Otherwise they'll probably be fine together. Chickens are social animals, and it behooves them to stay together in a flock babies and all.

Liz