Mama and babies with the rest of the flock?

[bpoore04]

So I have probably went about this wrong but it was the only option. I had a pullet go broody and I let her sit for about a week before I decided to give her eggs. When I finally gave her eggs other chickens were still laying in the nesting box she was in. I had 7 other nesting boxes and they would cram in there with her. And we were afraid that they would do somehow mess with the eggs or something so we separated the broody from the rest of the flock to sit. She can still see them and they can still see her they are just separated by wire but my question is can I just let her and the babies out or do they need to stay separated or what? She has been separated for about 15ish out of the 21 or so days and the babies are supposed to hatch around tomorrow. I’m just wondering if she has been separated will she need to be reintroduced to the flock? And if she does would it be ok if she had the chicks with her or do I need to wait until they get a little older?

 

[OneToManyChickens]

The mama hen does protect them from the older chicks, but to be safe I would move the chicks and her for the first week at least just so mama can get back on her feet and ready to protect her babies. She should be fine to go back in with the flock because they can still see her.