I need help! Putting mother back with the flock with babies?

[Settler'sDreamFarm]

Hello everyone!
I have a broody silkie whos babies will hatch on March 30th.
I am wondering, when the chicks are around two weeks old can they with their mother go with the flock?
The flock consist of three silkie hens, two bantam cochin hens and a silkie rooster....
Will the mother protect them? I just guessed two weeks old, should they be older?
Thank you!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[gritsar]

I have never done this, so here's a bump. Hopefully someone with experience will be along to offer advice. Good luck.

 

[Settler'sDreamFarm]

Thanks!

 

[Chew593]

Oh my gosh I had the same question because I just put my broody BA and her almost 3 week olds back in the run. I did let them all free range together first just to get reaquainted and all seemed ok... however the other hens are picking not on the babies, but on the Broody! I think they just need to re-establish pecking order... also I was pleasantly surprised to see my silkie roo helping to protect the babies.
My run is pretty big, and I put Acacia prunings around for the babies to hide in. They seem to be adjusting... but they sure did get dirty fast! I spread starter feed under the prunings and have food and water set up for everyone. I'm a little worried about the adults eating the starter and the chicks eating the layer pellets but I think that'll all work out too. Good luck and keep us posted. I'm going to subscribe to this post.

 

[California Ducken]

No..... The others will kill them!

 

[California Ducken]

Sorry...I had to spit that out quick. They seem all fine and dandy, but it was hard for me to notice at first but they were getting pecked on the head every so often when I wasn't looking. I was wondering why they started getting skiddish. That lasted for 4 hours..... Soooo many other posts learned the hard way. I have heard story after story where the adults scalped the babies pictures included! They all ended up dying because of head trauma. I did NOT learn the hard way. But the sad thing for me was, that after that the mother hen decided 4 days later to peck her own chicks on the head because she was tired of being a mom! She was my broodiest too!!
I have replied to many posts when they were in the Emergency section because "everything seemed to be going great!" Just be careful you two! Personally, I would NOT risk it. They are "your" chickies first and foremost. Even though we like to think that the hens are raising them.......We are our chickens keepers.
Good Luck!!

 

[Sugar Sand Farm]

I havent put them in later but I have let my cochins hatch theirs right in the coop. Both my cochin girls are raising their biddies just fine. They are not being pecked at all. In fact the babies have gotten under the fencing and gone into the orps run without mishap The babies are now 6 weeks and 3 weeks and are just fine. Oh and yes the rooster calls to them just like fhe does to his ladies. here is a picture but like I said they were born in the coop not added later.

 

[Chew593]

day 4 of the babies and the broody being in the run and no 'scalping' so far.
I've heard of that happening when you put new additions in the flock without proper introduction but not babies that have a protective broody.
I'll contine to be vigilant tho.

 

[California Ducken]

That's great news! Thank you for keeping us posted.

 

[Settler'sDreamFarm]

thanks for the help everyone!
i have not decided what i will do yet...