My Buff Opington has been laying on her eggs HELP! READ PLEASE!!!

[chickenlover286]

My Buff Opington has been laying on her eggs, and chicks from her will be due around June 3rd. I don't know what we should do! we have 1 rooster, a lot of hens, and 6 guineas. I don't know if I should keep the chicks in the flock when they hatch. I'm afraid my other chickens may hurt the chicks. What should I do! Help (I DO own a heat lamp)

 

[ChickensAreSweet]

I like to separate my broody for about a week or so with her chicks in a little enclosure. You can even use a dog crate with food and water in there. I use a chick-n-hutch. This gives her chicks time to get faster on their feet to follow mama around. If mama is in a dog crate with them I'd let her out to poo once a day, just for a few minutes so the chicks won't get cold.

Some people don't separate their broodies. It all depends on how protective the mama hen is. They are different...some ferocious and some too timid to guard the chicks well.