My hen wants out!

[Lori J]

My orpington hatched chicks a little over a week ago. Now she wants out of the coop with them. I can understand why because the coop is not very big. When I approach the group she scoots back-and-forth in front of the door trying to get out. We have three other hens. Should I let her out with the chicks?

 

[Stipenvlerk]

Maybe you can start by giving them a bit of room to wander around where the others can see her but not get to her? Like a step in between mingling and isolation?

 

[CrazyDuckLady90]

If you do let them out you need to watch them because the chicks can get hurt or killed by the other hens

 

[Lady of McCamley]

How was your flock with each other before? Are they pretty chill? Is your yard chick proofed so that they can't do stupid stuff like drown in a dog bowl or squeeze out a fence? Is your flock safe from hawks? Chicks made wonderful take out chicken bites.

If those answers are yes, most likely the momma and babes will be fine. It is totally normal that she wants to take her chicks out to join the flock now, even desirable. She will integrate those babes into the flock at this age, protecting them from the others if they get to nosy.

Typically, she will stand up for her babes, unless she is very low on the pecking order, and you have very bossy hens in the flock. At 1 week of age, the chicks are getting pretty fast on their feet and can keep up pretty good, so there is less risk to them for minor tussles as momma integrates back into the flock. Have little hidey-holes for the babes to run under where larger birds can't go in case they get chased too much. But again, momma generally keeps a tight eye on them.

Do watch in case you have some aggressive ladies. Generally they ignore the chicks and pick on the momma to be sure she remembers her spot on the pecking order. If that gets too aggressive, that's when babes can get hurt...however again at 1 week of age, the babes are pretty fast on their feet. And, if momma is the top hen, she will totally tell the others to back off.

So I would let them free range together, possibly in a contained area, while watching the first day prepared to intervene if a hen gets too aggressive or takes after chicks or momma has poor mothering skills and basically ignores her babes.

At most integrate them at the end of two weeks while momma still has brooding instincts to integrate her babes. If you wait too long, she may have fledged them and they have to integrate on their own, which is much more brutal to young birds. (That happens at 4 to 6 weeks, usually).

Chances are, momma will tell them all to leave us alone. Soon, the chicks will be running wild through all the hens with a peck or two when they get too rambunctious. It's actually a lot of fun to watch.

Good luck,
LofMc

 

[1234chicken4321]

How much space will she have? If its completely free range I'd let her out and just keep an eye out. I let my hens with new chicks out completely free range with the other hens and it's always been 100% fine, they just keep away.