How to protect free-range chicks from dominant hens and predators?

[ronott1]

Welcome to backyard Chickens.

Use netting and covered runs for the hawks. Often hawks are worst in the Fall so you can be a bit more relaxed at other times of the year. Also provide places for the hens to hide.

Anytime you mix baby chicks with adult chickens you risk them being eaten. It is more of not seeing the babies as other chickens but as food. Chickens will also eat small rats and mice for the same reason(seeing them as food). Separate the Mom and chicks from the flock until the chicks are 3/4 the size of the adults. Mom will usually stop raising them at about 6 weeks so you will need a safe temporary home for them until they are about 12 weeks old

 

[drumstick diva]

x 3 the advice to have the dominant hen/chick killer for dinner or soup. End of that nightmare. As to hawks - keep your flock in a large, covered run - no more hawk attacks, and safe from some other predators as well.

Ron has given excellent advice about separating mom and chicks, etc.

 

[Teila]

G’Day from down under HaltaLotta Nice to meet you!