I have a broody hen, again, and this time I want to hatch some eggs. My quesrion is about feed.

[Waffle Wattles]

Should I separate the morher and chicks from the rest of the flock so the chicks can have their own feed? Should I just raise the chicks separately from the other chickens? I would want the hens that come out of this, prob eat the males so would have to separate at some point.

But what if I wanted to let the broody hen raise them with the other chickens? Doesnt seem logistically possible to me, but I am curious if or how people do this.

 

[Justso]

What I've been instructed is if you going to combine your chicks with the rest of the flock, switch everybody to all flock feed and provide your chickens with calcium grit separately.

 

[Justso]

Once your pullets start laying, you can switch back to layer feed

 

[Ebony Rose]

I provide my broody hen with a semi-secluded corner, somewhere that she can back in to... and let her brood and raise her chicks right on the coop floor (the corner is NEVER under the roosting area). More often than not, she has them outside with the others within days. By allowing her to brood this way, she maintains her status in the pecking order, and her chicks INHERIT her status until she's weened them; they'll have to establish themselves in the pecking order once they've been weened. You can keep the entire clutch together, both males and females until raging hormones dictate otherwise.... You'll know when. At that time, you can separate or start processing the excess males. I personally process them even though I could probably get another pound on them if I waited; I have no desire to set up a bachelor pen, so the most aggressive cockerels go into the fryer first.
I have NO issues with roosters or other hens harming chicks brooded in this manner.

 

[Justso]

Btw I've let my broodies raise their chicks with the flock with no problems.