Managing hens and chicks

[Apis mellifera]

I thinned my flock and kept a few hens and a few are sitting, one just hatched chicks. Will the hens and chicks get along or will I have to separate them? Rooster was sold as a trio, so no rooster currently.

 

[A.M. Eggs]

The mother hens will protect the chicks from the other chickens. You should keep them separated until the chicks can fly up to the roosting area easily. They should be just fine!

 

[chickens really]

Hello..The Hens should be fine. I introduce mine with Chicks when they are about 5 days old. Just watch to see if the Mommas fight each other protecting their Chicks.

 

[aart]

I thinned my flock and kept a few hens and a few are sitting, one just hatched chicks. Will the hens and chicks get along or will I have to separate them? Rooster was sold as a trio, so no rooster currently.

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Did you need to thin your flock due to space constraints? If so, letting the hens hatch out more might not be a good idea.

Hello..The Hens should be fine. I introduce mine with Chicks when they are about 5 days old. Just watch to see if the Mommas fight each other protecting their Chicks.

Ditto Dat^^^ the sooner the better, IMO, once the chicks are eating drinking and well mobile. Mama may get into some fights as she reestablishes her place the pecking order, but they are usually fairly mild and short lived and the chicks are rarely in any danger. Helps to have their nest on the floor, or at least low enough that the chicks can easily access it, so they can use it for shelter and to sleep with mama at night.

 

[Apis mellifera]

Hello..The Hens should be fine. I introduce mine with Chicks when they are about 5 days old. Just watch to see if the Mommas fight each other protecting their Chicks.

Thank You, my hens are "Albertans"

 

[chickens really]

Thank You, my hens are "Albertans"

Me too....

 

[Apis mellifera]

Did you need to thin your flock due to space constraints? If so, letting the hens hatch out more might not be a good idea.

No, I do a need rooster now. I had a lot of people asked me for a trio so I sold him. My son and I raised some chicks and they sold as fast as we took them out of the truck at a swap meet. The one year old hens went fast too. Fun father and son time, plus he made some cash. I only left 4 or 5 eggs under each hen. Not sure if it helps, but I figured it would be easier on the hens if they only have a few chicks. Maybe the chicks will be better cared for also. Thanks aart.

 

[TheTwoRoos]

Sooner the better is good,but you still need to watch,there will always be thise one birds who just seriously dislike the chicks,or are more aggressive towards them.

 

[Apis mellifera]

They're doing great. I wasn't keen on building a bunch of little pens but was prepared to. The non broodies have no problems with the chicks and forage along side with them. I thought for sure the momma hens would get mad, but not at all. Its the mother hens that sometimes have a problem with each other and have quickie pecking battles in the morning commute to free range. I don't know how on earth they can tell which chicks are theirs, but they do.

 

[chickens really]

They're doing great. I wasn't keen on building a bunch of little pens but was prepared to. The non broodies have no problems with the chicks and forage along side with them. I thought for sure the momma hens would get mad, but not at all. Its the mother hens that sometimes have a problem with each other and have quickie pecking battles in the morning commute to free range. I don't know how on earth they can tell which chicks are theirs, but they do.

Awesome..That's the beauty of imprinting. Momma know them by Peeps and they know her by her cluck..
Congrats it's going so great..