Introducing chicks into a flock

[DBrittain]

I am new to broodies and hatching chicks. I recently had a hen go broody and hatch 6 chicks. They are 4 weeks old. My question is, do you all keep the chicks in the same flock as the mama hen even though the rooster (papa) is there too? If not, do u have any suggestions?

 

[Mrs. K]

Did you separate the mamma and babies away from the flock, if so, the advice will be different.

If you didn't, and the chicks were raised up in the flock, you really don't have to do anything. As the young roosters develop, they may get some schooling from the older hens and old man. Eventually you may have to pull and cull the roosters to a manageable number.

Do not worry about the father breeding the girls, it is not like humans, it really does not cause that big of problem in most hobby farming.

If you separated the mamma, it becomes much more problematic. The flock will not recognize either her or the chicks as part of the flock. When you try and reintroduce her, they will attack both her and the chicks. It is better to separate the chicks from the mamma, when she "forgets" them. And then add a single hen to her, after a week or so, try adding the pair to the flock, or set up a see not touch set up for a while.

Mrs K

 

[DBrittain]

Thank you so much! The hen and the chicks are still in the coop in a brooder box. They can see her and the chicks. She did hop out one day though and the other hens attacked her right away.

 

[aart]

I'd let them in with the flock pronto, while mama is still in broody protection mode.
Yes, there will be some fights as mama reestablishes her place in the pecking order,
but they are usually not too dire and over in a few days.
Make the brooder still available to the mama and her chicks.
I set up a creep feeder area so the chicks can eat and drink unmolested by the bigger birds. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/creep-feeder-area-for-chicks.1232369/

 

[Mrs. K]

I disagree AArt. The chicks are 4 weeks old, the broody hormones are fading fast, if the flock attacks the mama hen, she will not have any defense to fight for the chicks too.... There is the thought that by adding mamma and chicks it will spread the pecking out.

I would be wary.

 

[aart]

I disagree AArt. The chicks are 4 weeks old, the broody hormones are fading fast, if the flock attacks the mama hen, she will not have any defense to fight for the chicks too.... There is the thought that by adding mamma and chicks it will spread the pecking out.

I would be wary.

Chicks are not likely to get attacked, especially if they have the brooder to shelter in, it'll be mamas fights. That's been my experience.

 

[Mrs. K]

good point

 

[DBrittain]

I disagree AArt. The chicks are 4 weeks old, the broody hormones are fading fast, if the flock attacks the mama hen, she will not have any defense to fight for thie chicks too.... There is the thought that by adding mamma and chicks it will spread the pecking out.

I would be wary.

Chicks are not likely to get attacked, especially if they have the brooder to shelter in, it'll be mamas fights. That's been my experience.