Introducing new chickens while a hen is broody?

[dmm767]

Hello everybody,

I’ve got a small flock that gets along very well, with 3 golden comets, a bantam Rhode Island and a silkie (all hens). I’ve also got a silkie rooster, who is the biggest baby in the world. One of my golden comets runs the coop, then the other two Golden’s -> silkie rooster -> silkie hen -> bantam in terms of the pecking order that’s been established.

I have a nice coop that has a nice indoor area with plenty of nesting boxes and an outside covered run that connects to it. My silkie REFUSES to sleep inside and my rooster ends up basically straddling her every night while everyone sleeps inside. My silkie has been broody and next week will be hatch day! This is my first hatch and I’m concerned about her keeping the chicks out in the run with everyone else. She hasn’t been bothered thus far, but I’m unfamiliar with how other hens react to chicks.

Additionally, there is a polish and Cochin available near me that i’d love to adopt and add to my flock, but again, I’m worried that a new pecking order getting figured out may risk my chicks! Do any of you have any advice? Obviously separating them would work but I’m not in a financial position to establish a new tractor or hutch in the next 7 days. Sorry for the long shpeel, figures it was worth reaching out to you folks!

 

[cavemanrich]

Question; is your silkie sitting on eggs, or is she broody, and you plan to slip baby chicks under her???
I am not sure why your silkie refuses to stay in coop. Again,, I do not know if she is sitting on eggs in run area then???
In one week you will have chicks. I suggest if all is well, you locate mama silkie and chicks inside coop, and use some cardboard separation to provide a safer confinement for the initial days. Once chicks start running around, mama should protect baby chicks. We don't live in the perfect universe,, but that is how things usually go.
Adding the Polish and Cochin, to your flock, can be challenging with the baby chicks also new arrival. I introduced 2 new chickens to my flock this summer. Took about 5 days of see, but don't touch in a dog wire cage while in coop. The outdoor run time was free range. Of course the newcomers had to run, but there were plenty of hiding places in my run for them to escape to.
WISHING YOU BEST,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, and