Moving a hen with her 5 hatched chicks

[rspencer79]

Hi,

Been reading through the forums but can't find an answer. I have a hen who hatched out some eggs and she's DONE. I need to move them to our coop that is currently housing our 4 two month old sussex pullets. Will mama and chicks be okay with them? Right now they are free ranging and I worry about predators, as well as the soil close to our house is lead positive. Mama seems very motherly, and chicks look strong and healthy. They are stuck in their nesting box as it is on it's back and mama keeps coming back to them.

Thanks!!!

 

[Judy]

I've let all my 6 or so broodies raise their chicks in with the rest of the flock. The mamas have protected the chicks from the others. When the mama quits mothering, at 5 or so weeks, they are all accustomed to each other, and all is well. The chicks usually stay together and more or less keep to themselves for a while, but it's peaceful.

I have a separate pen in the coop where they could grow up separately, but they always want to get out and with the adults when they're about 2 or 3 days old, so now I use the pen for the mama while she's sitting on eggs, injured chickens, etc.