Introducing mother hen & chicks back into flock

[Jase78]

Howdy guys, i have just got into breeding chooks and have successfully had a hen go broody and out of 9 eggs she hatched 4.
The little ones are currently about 2 weeks old, they along with their mother have been seperated from the rest of the flock and was wondering when i can introduce them back into the flock.
I have Australorps, am a little worried about "The Big Fella" killing the little ones.
Any info would be very much appreciated.
Cheers Jas

 

[karisan]

I have had three hatches, and each time mother and chicks were together with the rest of the flock after only a week . Worked fine, except once: One slow-to-develop chick was killed by an aggressive hen after mama hen thought her kids could be on their own, at six weeks. Mind you, I have very small flock with just three or four other hens. Plenty of space and several feeding places are helpful. And a feeding place for the chicks' special treats that the big chickens can not get into.

Of course, I would keep close watch for a day or so to see how everyone reacts.

Good luck!