Moving chicks and mamma hen back to the main run (UK)

[Sarcastic_Capybara]

We have four hens and a roo. Our Light Sussex successfully hatched two eggs and happily took back a third which we hatched in the incubator after she left the nest.

We separated her from the flock into a rabbit hutch and then when the chicks were a few days old we moved them into a small nest box and run. The chicks are now 3.5 weeks and she's a fab mom but is really not happy in the run and keeps banging to get out.

Our main coop is an old wooden playhouse with a large run, but we do let them free range. Two of the other hens (a Leghorn and a Speckldy) have also now gone broody and decided to sit in the same nest box

I was thinking I could move mom and the chicks into the main run but in a fenced off section that mom can get out of if she wants a bit of space but the chicks can't.

I was also going to leave the two broodies to sit but move them down to the floor in a sectioned off bit of the coop until the chicks hatch and then just let nature take its course in terms of the mom's raising them in the flock (although being mindful that we have cats and a dog who really wants to make friends with the chicks). Our run door is in two parts which means we can open the top so the bigger hens can free range if they want.

We want to do this for practical purposes as we want to expand the flock but don't really want to have multiple separate runs for every broody and also to make it easier when we go on holiday for the person looking after our chickens.

I was just wondering if anyone had done anything similar and had any suggestions / advice

 

[50-45-1]

I have separate rabbit hutch/ broody hen set up like you. I move my hens and hatching eggs into that for the incubation period.
I usually wait until chicks are mostly feathered 2-3 weeks old and move them back into the main coop with the adult flock population.
I do this move after dark and make a corner straw nest area on the floor where I place them. I have not had any trouble with this system. Even my timid hens, when they have chicks stand up for themselves if they encounter trouble from the others.
My coop however does not have a ramp, which can be difficult for chicks to figure out.
My broodies are SO READY to get out of that cage!
They usually spend hours that first day dust bathing

A picture of one of my broody hutches I made.

 

[nuthatched]

Let them in with the others, you want the chicks to integrate while momma is still take care of them and will protect them. She'll only be taking care of them for maybe two more weeks

 

[Sarcastic_Capybara]

Our chicks are just over three weeks now. Dad and the only other non-broody hen keep coming down to visit so I don't think there will be any issues, but she is so ready to come out now and the chicks are really brave and curious

 

[Sarcastic_Capybara]

He's very proud of his babies

 

[nuthatched]

Let them out to mingle.

 

[LaurasNew]

Let them out to mingle.

At what age would you recommend letting the chicks mix with the other hens? I've 3 chicks, 3 days old with their mother at the moment they are living in the coop pictured inside the run. Thanks

 

[nuthatched]

At what age would you recommend letting the chicks mix with the other hens? I've 3 chicks, 3 days old with their mother at the moment they are living in the coop pictured inside the run. Thanks

As soon as they cam move around we'll enough to stay with momma, it's crucial to be integrated brgite she's weened them.

 

[50-45-1]

I've 3 chicks, 3 days old

I think I would hold off until these little guys are stronger and at least have wing feathering.
I have lost small chicks before when mama hen was not aggresive enough (timid and low on the pecking order)
And chicks scattered and she was not able to protect them all.
Also I like to make sure they have their first 2 weeks on chick starter only, before they start ingesting other stuff.

 

[LaurasNew]

I've 3 chicks, 3 days old

I think I would hold off until these little guys are stronger and at least have wing feathering.
I have lost small chicks before when mama hen was not aggresive enough (timid and low on the pecking order)
And chicks scattered and she was not able to protect them all.
Also I like to make sure they have their first 2 weeks on chick starter only, before they start ingesting other stuff.

Thanks for this, this Mammy is somewhere in the middle of the pecking order. I have never seen her behave aggressively, so I would be a bit worried that she wouldn't protect the chicks. I think I'll give them a couple of weeks. They are in the run so the hens and chicks can see and hopefully get used to one another without the danger.