Wondering after hatching if they go back in with the rest of the population? will mom protect them? or do they have to stay separated from the rest of the pirhanas until they are half grown... does momma turn into schwarzenEGGer and flog any that touch her babies?
With mine the Mama walks around like usual and if anyone comes near her babies she goes after them. Usually they fall down in the pecking order from being in the nest for 21 days. She just stays clear of everyone but will defend the babies. Then one day when the chick is months older the mom just roosts somewhere else and leaves them to fend for themselfs.
It depends on the broody. I had 2, and didn't separate them from the flock. By the end of the first day, 1 hen had stolen all of the chicks. She's mean as can be to the other hens when she has chicks, so they leave her alone. The first day or two can be a tricky adjustment, especially if she has a large brood. You may want to let her prove her self with one or two first, to see how protective she is. I had another broody kill her chicks at hatch, and then kill another broody's chicks when they hatched. They can be pretty brutal. That said, I'd trust the good mom with more chicks in the flock anytime. Her last two chicks are full grown now, and are a normal part of the flock.
My sweet little slikie turned into a schwarzenEGGer No one needed to be told twice here. Every hen probably acts a little different so I would plan on keeping them separate for a little while. I don't think I let mine out with the rest of the flock for about 2 weeks but my mama hen had what she hatched plus a bunch of babies from the bator so way to many for here to keep safe when they were tiny.
I tried to keep my broody and her baby seperate, but didn't plan on her giving her little guy a RIDE on her saddle! I think it was maybe day 2 or 3? She definitely defended the little one, very aggressively at first, then letting others boss him a little more as he grew.
ok good, thats what I wanted to hear. She is sitting on 5 eggs. She was the boss of the flock where she used to live, and when I got her she became boss the minute she entered the flock. The rest of my flock consists of 3 orp pullets and 1 serama cockeral. He is just there for his looks lol. I did split the run for now so the others would not go sit on her.
