Introducing chicks to flock (hatched under Broody Hen)

[Muser]

I am looking for some advice on what to expect in the next steps of my flock introductions. It's my first time introducing a broody hen's chicks to the rest of the flock. I have introduced new birds before, but always as pullets, never from chicks. All hens were previously together before I moved the broody into her own mini coop.

I have a Brahma x Buff Orpington broody hen who has been doing a wonderful job raising 7 chicks in a mini coop with an attached mini run. This setup sits inside my main run so all the flock can see them, but cannot touch them. The chicks are currently 3 and a half weeks old and it's clear Mother Hen is keen to get out and show them how to forage/free range. I let the rest of my flock (4 other hens) free range all day in my garden, it's a decent size for a small flock so plenty of space.

Hen 1 Intro: I have cautiously introduced my head hen to the broody's chicks and it was an awesome experience. Head hen gave the death glare to one chick who looked like it was going to test her, and it backed down, no pecks required. They just all went about their business pecking and enjoying life as if they were always together.

Hen 2 Intro: I tried a second introduction with a hen that is lower on the pecking order than broody. Again, peace was achieved, broody fluffed up ready to protect babies, and the other hen just wanted to leave, so I let her. All's good.

Hen 3 Intro: Here's where I become nervous... The remaining two hens. One is the beta hen, second in command and my broody and her tend to get a bit rough (no blood or feather loss) for that second spot. Usually my other hen wins and broody takes 3rd spot. I'm worried that this hen might have beef with the new babies because she has beef with broody.

Hen 4 Intro: And finally my Salmon Faverolles, the bottom of the pecking order, who has been delighted with broody being locked up as she now feels a little superior. Goes along the mini run and broody and her flare up to each other a lot. Every time I let broody out by herself with this hen, they fight and Faverolles backs down to the bottom spot. I'm worried this hen might think the babies are a good way to take her bottom spot aggression out on. She's tried pecking at them through the bars of the mini-run too.


I'm worried the babies will get attacked if I let all of them out at once since broody might be defending herself from 2nd place hen and the Faverolles might take an opportunity or hurt a chick.

How do you manage this kind of thing? Part of me wonders if I shouldn't have closed them off in the first place, but I did, so here we are I have to navigate this now and was looking for some advice.

Thanks all! <3

 

[Grind Hard Farm]

I usually let the chicks roam around with the others, after some hours I put them back into the runner. There was some pecking going on but I didn't intervene unless there was any blood (which there wasn't). I repeat this for awhile and after that leave the runner open to let them get out on their own. Like I said, that's what I do and it works for me

 

[Muser]

I usually let the chicks roam around with the others, after some hours I put them back into the runner. There was some pecking going on but I didn't intervene unless there was any blood (which there wasn't). I repeat this for awhile and after that leave the runner open to let them get out on their own. Like I said, that's what I do and it works for me

Sounds like good advice to me! So would you do this from hatchlings or a few weeks old? I've read some places state to let them into the flock around 8 weeks, but I prefer real advice from people on this forum over internet articles. Plus 8 weeks seems like a long time to keep chicks in a smaller run.

 

[ChicNmom]

When I have had a hen hatch chicks I let her take them around the yard. She usually still stays separate from the group and then gradually widens her territory with the chicks from the coop outward. And I have a separate place for them to sleep until they are older. I do a vey gradual blending of the groups.

 

[Grind Hard Farm]

Sounds like good advice to me! So would you do this from hatchlings or a few weeks old? I've read some places state to let them into the flock around 8 weeks, but I prefer real advice from people on this forum over internet articles. Plus 8 weeks seems like a long time to keep chicks in a smaller run.

I do this from a few weeks old. The flock will get used to them. Leaving them in the runner with the broody hen was a good idea so the flock can actually see the chicks and be aware of them

 

[Muser]

When I have had a hen hatch chicks I let her take them around the yard. She usually still stays separate from the group and then gradually widens her territory with the chicks from the coop outward. And I have a separate place for them to sleep until they are older. I do a vey gradual blending of the groups.

It seems like it's a good way to do it. I was thinking the same unless the advice pointed me in a different direction. I am nervous of the other two hens. Has this ever been an issue for you?

 

[ChicNmom]

The only time I had a problem was when I let mama and babies out. Mama decided to show the top hen who was boss and went after her.
Norma (top hen) was winning that fight. My rooster stepped between to break it up. Mama went back to the babies and Norma was following, ready to kick her butt again. So I intervened and then all was well.

Sometimes an older hen will give a little peck but no young ones were ever bloodied or injured.

 

[Muser]

The only time I had a problem was when I let mama and babies out. Mama decided to show the top hen who was boss and went after her.
Norma (top hen) was winning that fight. My rooster stepped between to break it up. Mama went back to the babies and Norma was following, ready to kick her butt again. So I intervened and then all was well.

Sometimes an older hen will give a little peck but no young ones were ever bloodied or injured.

Oh no! Glad all was well though! This is what I'm worried will happen with the second-in-command hen. I suppose I'll have to let them all out at some point, but I will do that slowly as you have. Seems to be a very similar situation to you and 'Grind Hard Farm' seem to have dealt with Thanks both, it's good to have a plan <3

 

[J-Habs]

Let mother nature do her job. I usually introduce chicks at that age or younger and never have issues. A little pecking is normal.

 

[Muser]

I'm planning on letting them all see each other very soon. They will be a month old tomorrow. I am so nervous of my faverolles attacking the chicks. I'm trying not to put it off, but I am genuinely worried she will attack the babies and Mother hen will be too busy being asserted back into the pecking order. I dont want any of the babies to get hurt