This is the first time we have ever had a hen hatch eggs, we usually buy chicks but this round we kept a rooster. We had a hen hatch 8 chicks 4 1\\2 weeks ago outside of the pen. The hen and chicks were put in a pen and house of their own because of them being born outside of the pen and this is new to us. What is the best way and time to introduce them into the group. And do they need any type heat source now that they are almost to big for all of them to get under mom.
It's almost winter so in my own opinion i would rather keep them separated until spring and as for the heat lamp i would still use it. You can lose a lot of chicks during the winter by getting crushed seeking warmth.