How soon would you let a broody hen with chicks into flock?

[chickengeorgeto]

So we had a hen go broody for the first time, and we moved her from the nest box into a rabbit pen with her eggs. We set the rabbit cage on the floor of our chicken coop so that she was still around the other chickens, and gave her her own food and water. Her chicks hatched out last night, and we're wondering how soon we can open the door to the rabbit pen to let her and her chicks out into the rest of the flock? We have a run that the chickens stay in till about 2 pm everyday, and then the remainder of the day the chickens free range. I'm a little apprehensive about letting the chicks free range due to predators, but we don't have anywhere else that the hen can grow out the chicks at.

How soon would you guys recommend leaving the rabbit hutch door open for them to come and go?

Thanks!

As soon as she comes off the nest and the chicks become active let them go. Will you lose some? Yes, but that will happen regardless of what you do.

 

[SueT]

I have a first time broody Sebright pullet sitting in one of the nests in the coop. Today I obtained 3 Dutch bantam eggs and gave them to her to hatch. I've never had a broody hatch chicks before.
The man I got them from said I should make sure she gets off the nest once a day to eat, drink, and poop. I assumed she'd do this on her own. Do I take her off the nest each day to make sure she does? He told me to put food and water close by so she can see the nest, which have done.
This pullet is one of 8 chickens total, six of which are large breed. I have been wondering if it's okay to keep her with the flock and found this thread....I appreciate any advice, thanks!
Sue