Introducing broody hen post hatching four , month old chicks

[Pollmadoll]

Sadly my broody Apricot has decided she has had enough of motherhood. So I have a chicken juggle on my hands this evening! The four chicks to save them being pecked are alone for the first time in the nesting box. Whereas their mother who up to now was the perfect mother hen is sleeping in an aviary with her brother and sisters. They are silky serama / silverlaced wyandotte cross breedsAs she has not been with them for 8 weeks I am worried they will attack her? Any tips much appreciated!???

 

[DobieLover]

I'm a little confused on what happened and what you are asking... sorry.

How old are the chicks now? How old were they when mom had enough of motherhood?
Are the chicks still "with" the flock and just hiding out in the nest box?

 

[Matzwd]

Sounds like you kept mom and chicks separate from the rest of the flock. Is that right? They will all need to be integrated in a see but don't touch way for awhile, or there will be risk of injury.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I DO NOT separate broody hens from the flock. I let them lay and sit and hatch in the main coop and raise their chicks with the flock. Separating them just causes a rift in the pecking order. They will integrate again, but you have caused more trouble by separating in my opinion. You will have to integrate them and hopefully you have enough room for Mom and chicks to run away and/or hide from the aggression of the flock for now. You can do it different next time! Good Luck!

 

[aart]

I keep my broodies separated by a wire wall while incubating and then a week or two after hatch I take down the wall. Broody finds her place in the pecking order, as new ferocious mama, and the chicks are rarely harmed. There's creep feeder area for the chicks and the floor nest they have lived in for 'shelter'.
I just did this yesterday it went pretty well.

But....

Any tips much appreciated!???

Need a clearer picture of where all these birds are.

 

[Pollmadoll]

The chicks are a month old now . Their mother absolutely rejected them two days ago and was chasing and pecking at them. So I decided to rehome her . The chicks seems very happy without her. She was perfect up until recently.

 

[aart]

Their mother absolutely rejected them two days ago and was chasing and pecking at them.

That's what broody hens do.....they wean the chicks anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. That's why it's important to get the mama and chicks in with the flock a week or two after hatch.