How to move chicks with older hen

[mommiesrcool]

hi I have 1 older hen and 3 baby chicks (2 RIR 1 EE) they are 4 weeks old and my dad wants to put them outside but my older hen will go up to them peck at them and then she gets as far away that she can from them I plan on putting the baby chicks outside today in a dog crate for a week and then ill try to let them go in the coop I live in South Florida and throughout the day its 85-90 degrees. I'm worried that she won't let them sleep in the coop at night and that she might end up killing one of them

 

[mommiesrcool]

so they are locked up the dog crate but they won't stop crying because there is no light outside

 

[Jennc-123]

Put them in the crate with food and water in the coop. Leave them that way for at least a week. After that it should just be general pecking order stuff.

 

[mommiesrcool]

Put them in the crate with food and water in the coop. Leave them that way for at least a week. After that it should just be general pecking order stuff.

that's what I'm doing i have three chicks inside a dog crate with water and food and the hen is in the coop by herself but she's ben laying next to the dog crate where the chicks are so in 1 more week ill put them on the coop at night

 

[Jennc-123]

Perfect, I haven't had issues doing that. Sometimes they avoid, sometimes they peck. But it's never serious.

 

[Weeg]

I would put the hen in the crate with the chicks. Then they will have heat and there mom. How old are they? If they are crying, they likely wan more heat and they need mom.

 

[rosemarythyme]

I would put the hen in the crate with the chicks. Then they will have heat and there mom. How old are they? If they are crying, they likely wan more heat and they need mom.

Absolutely do NOT do this - you may end up with injured or dead chicks. She is not their mother.

To OP: Did you not have an integration plan going into this? This is how I handle early integration: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/ You'll also find links to other articles for other's set ups for doing early integration for additional ideas.

 

[Weeg]

Absolutely do NOT do this - you may end up with injured or dead chicks. She is not their mother.

To OP: Did you not have an integration plan going into this? This is how I handle early integration: https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/short-on-time-recycle-a-prefab-brooder.73985/ You'll also find links to other articles for other's set ups for doing early integration for additional ideas.

Ohh goodness! I didn't realize that she wasn't the mother! Do not take my advice! I was way, wrong! You are doing good, keep up the good work!

 

[pennyJo1960]

I agree keep them in crate safe for at least a week

 

[mommiesrcool]

I would put the hen in the crate with the chicks. Then they will have heat and there mom. How old are they? If they are crying, they likely wan more heat and they need mom.

at night it is very hot but the first day the hen didn't like them but know she's warming up to them