Our hen hatched out 4 chicks a few days ago, and she's doing a great job being a mama. This is both her, and my, first time hatching. They are enclosed in one of those larger metal dog crates (about 2x3), inside my hen house. The hen has been in this cage with her nesting box since she started sitting.
Questions: how long do I leave her in the cage with the chicks? I know not right NOW, but I want to be prepared. How much space should a hen have with her babies? Should I build a brooder pen thats bigger than the cage to act as an intermediate area before they have the whole place with my other hens (7, no rooster)? How large should this be? I don't have any way for it to be inside hen house AND outside in the run, so it would be one or the other. I'm thinking inside the hen house would be a best? At what age can the chicks be 'mixed' in with the flock? Should I expect any issues with the mama hen being treated as a new member when she 'returns'?
Thanks for your advice! Its so exciting to have babies!!!

Questions: how long do I leave her in the cage with the chicks? I know not right NOW, but I want to be prepared. How much space should a hen have with her babies? Should I build a brooder pen thats bigger than the cage to act as an intermediate area before they have the whole place with my other hens (7, no rooster)? How large should this be? I don't have any way for it to be inside hen house AND outside in the run, so it would be one or the other. I'm thinking inside the hen house would be a best? At what age can the chicks be 'mixed' in with the flock? Should I expect any issues with the mama hen being treated as a new member when she 'returns'?
Thanks for your advice! Its so exciting to have babies!!!