I was wondering.....

[ThePigeonKid]

I have one hen and six chicks... I was wondering if the hen would get along with the chicks? Would she adopt them? Could they live in the same coop?

 

[elmo]

Depends.

Usually, unless your hen is broody and you're slipping day old chicks under her, no. However, once the chicks are around the same size as the hen and at least stand a chance of withstanding bullying (with adequate space and places to hide), you can integrate the two groups. Once the pecking order is worked out, calm will be restored to the flock.

Right now I'm separating two groups of chicks from their own hen mothers to keep them free from bullying until they're closer to full growth. Once a hen's hormones kick back in and she's ready to start laying, she treats her own chicks no differently than any other small chicken...which means pecking.