I have a broody that just hatched 3 weeks ago (Thursday) - they are currently in a box in the coop with hardware cloth so the other chickens can get used to them. Where it's so cold outside right now...would it be ok to lift the box and allow her & the chicks to roam around outside? We have an enclosed run - they don't freerange. Thanks!! I appreciate any help with this.
I can only tell you what I did.... My momma chick defended and protected her babies and the other 19 pullets and 1 rooster that I had at the time did not bother the chicks at all. I had a bantam hen who hatched 3 RIR and she raised them in the coop with everyone...... no problem. Good luck I would make sure that there is a place other than under their mama ... that they can run and hide if need be..... and then let her and the babies go in there with all the others... Mama hen knows what to do.... and she talks to her babies and they listen.
