My very reliable broody is one week away from getting her foster chicks. The past two times Spring has raised chicks, I've moved mama and babies into my "mini-coop' which has a separate fenced area in the bigger yard the day after I've slipped the day-old babies under her at night, once I know she's accepted them. They have that space for themselves until mama wants to go back to the flock, and then the babies stay there till ready to integrate (which I mainly base on when they can start on the layer feed everyone else eats.) This year is different because my mini-coop is already occupied by one of my oldest hens who suddenly became the flock pariah about a year ago. (I had to separate her or the gang who had decided she was chicken non gratia would have seriously injured her.) She lives there with Bella, one of my younger hens, who is very gentle, and Tiki, another older hen who started having trouble getting up the steeper ramp in the main coop. All three of them get along just fine and Happy (the bullying victim) is happy and healthy again. I'm really torn about how to proceed with Spring and her new babies. Should I put them in the mini-coop with the three other hens and see how it goes? Or should I try letting Spring and the babies stay with the big flock this time (14 other hens)? Maybe give them a separate dog-crate cage in the bigger coop for the first few days, and then let Spring take them outside when ready? I'm just not sure how to handle the different feed needs with that integrated approach--the separate pen makes separate diets much easier. I'd appreciate any opinions/advice folks might have. Thanks.