Integrating Mama back with the flock

[Shanda]

I had a bantum cochin hatch 5 chicks on Thanksgiving weekend. I have her separated from the flock in a corner of the coop with her chicks. Today I went in there to give her and the chicks food and water and to try to hold the babies. I had the top open for a while and Rosy (Mama) jumped out - I think she was trying to get her chicks out because she was making that noise she makes when she tells them, "food here!!". Anyway, she ran around for a bit. Then, one of the flock - Star - was chasing her and trying to peck at her. Now I'm worried about when it's time to integrate Rosy and her chicks with the flock. Is there something special I should be doing now to make this easier later? Is there a special way to do it later?

Also on a side note. I have seen two of my 1 1/2 week old chicks fighting - the same two. Are they exhibiting rooster behavior?

Here is a picture of them when they were born...so cute!

 

[Judy]

Here's one method: https://www.backyardchickens.com/web/viewblog.php?id=14951


My setup sounds much like yours. I open the door and watch when I go out there. So far, mama has taken them out into the regular coop for a little while then returns them to the broody section, on her own. In the past I have left the chicks with the flock as young as a week or two. But the other day another hen started attacking the chicks and I had to grab the hen.

Hopefully, mama won't decide they're ready to be on their own before the flock will accept them.

 

[Judy]

Quote:
Forgot to say, sure enjoyed the pics. They are more fun!

I wouldn't be surprised if those two turn out to be roos. Never can tell, of course.

 

[elizabethbinary]

I've had ones cockfight me that I SWORE were roos and laid an egg one day. Like full on "Imma gonna be top cock, you cocky cock cock! LOOKIT MAH LITTLE BURS! I SLASH YOUR KNEECAPS!" type fighting. You really never know! The two that would attack each other from hatching ended up being hens. Mean hens, but hens. One of them won a fight against a fox. Yes.

As for the rest I don't know... I kinda let my girls hatch out their eggs in with the rest of the group and when they hatch all the hens just accept them.... but I've got a bizarre flock. Since I do a lot of swapping for the farm and raising new chickens for selling, they are WAY used to new arrivals and don't really bother them much. Last time I dropped five new chickens mid-day into their flock and they just got ticked at me that the bags didn't have FOOD in them. Ha.

I am unhelpful. But I come with stories.

 

[Shanda]

Thank you...all very good info.