How to re-unite momma and babies with flock?

[two early]

I have a few questions about when and how to let momma hen and her 4 chicks re-join the flock. She has been sequestered for the broody time and just hatched 4 chicks Saturday. They are living in a separate part of the run with an enclosed dog crate for sleeping. Momma hen (Delicious) has had them out foraging around in the separated part of the run where they can be seen by the other hens and rooster. When I let everyone out to free range this morning, she actually brought them out while she took a dust bath; everyone mostly ignored them (except one of the egg donor hens, a Polish, who promptly jumped on the mother's back and bit her neck, then pecked one of the babes on the head). I have their eating area in the dog crate (medicated starter food). So my questions are:
1. If I leave the run open for everyone to move around in, the other hens will probably eat the chick food. I don't mind the mother hen eating it cuz she's not laying, but the other hens eggs will be affected and then I can't eat those eggs (want it to be all organic and no soy; I am allergic). Plus, would the chicks try to eat the layer feed that is available free choice to the layers? So, is there some way to have them mingle without food exchange besides me supervising?
2. I'd love to have the momma and chicks move back into the coop because it is safer and more protected. The perches are rather high, but I could put a container on the floor for them to use. Has anyone done this? At what age? We have a mouse problem and I have had to surround the dog crate with mouse traps at night and put up barriers so the little chicks can't get out.
The coop is much safer.
3. The broody mother is quite a docile soul and so I don't know how fiercely she would protect those little guys from a mouse or one of the other hens. When the episode occurred this morning with the Polish hen, the momma hen screeched when jumped on, but did not respond protectively when her chick was pecked. Will she protect those little guys?

I sure would appreciate any suggestions/answers. First time hatching and pretty new to having a flock. thanks to all

 

[sumi]

It sounds like the rest of your flock is o.k. with the chicks, except the one hen. I would suggest letting the mom and chicks mingle, but keep and eye on the unfriendly hen. Mom would protect her babies. I've seen the most docile hens turn into momsters when they have chicks to protect! It would be better if you can feed them separately. The chicks must not get layer food now. The high calcium content damages their organs when they are small.
I'm not sure about putting mouse traps in the coop. You may catch and hurt a chicken! Maybe if you put them outside the coop where the chickens can't get to them and disarm them in the morning before letting the flock loose?

 

[two early]

The mouse traps are only left out at night when everyone is locked up tight. They are removed before I let everyone out for the day. So, I think it is pretty safe. But I am thinking of moving the mother and chicks in the coop for the night, putting a nesting box on the floor and then in the morning removing them to the separated area for the day so food issues don't arise. I don't know how willing the mother hen will be to cooperate with me in doing this, but I will give it a try. Can chicks go overnight without food available to them (water always available) or should I leave some out for them? Thanks for any replies to this newbie grandma

 

[Tootsie]

There is NO egg withdrawal time for medicated chick starter. The eggs are safe to eat from hens who eat this feed.

 

[Pascal PicklePants]

Tootsie is right, the medication is amprolium which is NOT an antibiotic, but a thiamine blocker. It blocks the uptake of thiamine that the coccidiosis needs to survive. So as long as the chicks are exposed to soil containing cocci and are on medicated starter, they will develop their own antibodies to ward off the cocci without it overwhelming their immune system.

Also, in my experience the chicks will not usually eat the layer feed. I think starter must be exceptionally delicious, because all my birds go crack-happy for it if it is available.