How long can/should chicks stay with their mama?

[pixiechic]

Our broody silkie, Mellow, has hatched 2 of the 3 eggs she's been sitting on, so we have homegrown chicks for the first time. Yay! Of course, I have a hundred newbie questions now.

We brought Mellow and her nest of eggs inside after about the first week of the broody cycle, because the other chickens were messing with the nest. Mellow and her chicks/egg are in a dog crate in the garage, and she seems very content. So what happens next? After the last chick hatches, will Mellow still want to have the chicks with her? Can I keep them all in the dog crate for a while, or will Mellow want to go back to the big coop and yard and be with the other chickens? I assume it's still too cold out to put the chicks in the big coop, even with mama to keep them warm, and I have no idea how the big chickens would react to chicks either.

We have a brooder full of other chicks at the moment, they're about 3 weeks old, so I could put the babies in with them if needed. Or is that a bad idea?

Edit: Is changing every instance of the word e*g*g* to "rooster" really annoying to other people, or is it just me?

 

[Mahonri]

I've seen hens stay with them anywhere from 3 weeks to juvies.

I wouldn't put the little ones with the big girls until they are at least 12 weeks.

 

[I'vegotchickenfever]

Edit: Is changing every instance of the word e*g*g* to "rooster" really annoying to other people, or is it just me?

Sorry, I think it's funny, of course, I just got online, so.... It should probably be over today, anyway.​

 

[cmom]

Since you have a brooder full of chicks you could put the babies in with them and let mom rejoin the flock. In a couple of weeks or so she should start laying again.

 

[skeeter9]

Momma can raise the chicks for you without any problems. I've always just put my mommas and their newly hatched chicks in with the main flock and have never had any problem - momma will protect them and keep them warm. As long as they have chick starter and water where they can get to it and a ground-level nest, they should be fine. Momma will teach them everything they need to know.