Is It Safe to Let Baby Chicks in with Adults?

[pbjmaker]

I put my baby chicks out at 6 weeks with the flock and they are fine but I know my flock and they are kind to babies. Like gritty said the "not the mommies" might give them a quick peck to put them in place but otherwise leave them alone. The babies are respectful to the big hens and know to move out of the way.

Right now I have been putting my two indoor chicks outside in a really small coop where they can see the rest of the flock and I catch the 6 week olds talking to the one week olds in the coop. It's kind of sweet to watch.

 

[JPinVT]

Thanks guys! Yeah, I was being a little sarcastic and answering my own question

I gotta say - letting a broody raise the chicks is definitely the way to go - so easy (and no need to spend extra money on heat lamps, electricity, and more shavings!) Plus there's not a whole lotta things cuter than a momma and her babies

 

[pbjmaker]

I always like it when they start hopping on mamas back and going for chicky back rides.

 

[Noymira]

So cute! Hope to have at least one broody in the spring so we can have some babies running around too!

Hi from a fellow VT'er!

 

[champer]

I also let the broodies raise their chicks among the rest of the flock and have not had any problems (knock on wood) with the chicks being bullied. In fact, the current chicks are as likely to cuddle up with the teenage chicks from the last bunch as with their Moms. Both times I had 2 hens broody at the same time, so I just gave each hen a couple of chicks and there was never any squabbling over the chicks. It has worked out quite well, except that if I keep doing this, I'm going to quickly run out of space. LOL

 

[gritsar]

Quote:
That always makes me go AWWWWWWW. I love when they poke their little heads out from under Mama to see who's there.

Just five more days until I get to experience cuteness overload again!