My mama hen is bored with layer mash!

[AnnieSantiago]

My mama hen is in a 10 x 10 run and house with her 8 chicks.
My other two hens are put into an adjoining run during the day.
All three hens used to be there together and all love that space because it's under grapevines and shady.

Because I've been told the regular laying pellets are bad for mom, I"m only putting grower mash in the separated run for them.

But the mom seems like she's going stir crazy to get out and range.
And I'm afraid of crows or hawks getting my chicks so I haven't let her out.

Are there snacks she might like, or safe food I can put in there for her that won't harm the chicks?

I'm afraid she's going to get so frustrated and hungry, she might hurt the babies.

Help?

 

[Folly's place]

She won't hurt the babies intentionally, and can have limited amounts of scratch and stuff. My broodies get out with the flock when the chicks are about one week of age, and they do fine. She will guard them! Little chicks are vulnerable, but no more than the broody, who will do her best to save them from predators. Mary

 

[AnnieSantiago]

Ok. Thanks Mary.
I'll start letting her out Sunday.

 

[FarmerMac]

She won't hurt the babies intentionally, and can have limited amounts of scratch and stuff. My broodies get out with the flock when the chicks are about one week of age, and they do fine. She will guard them! Little chicks are vulnerable, but no more than the broody, who will do her best to save them from predators. Mary

When I have a broody hen, I toss some scratch in her coop so she will teach them to look for seeds. Sometime I give her some grass cuttings or small lettuce pieces so she can feed it to the babies.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

I just feed the mother and chicks starter feed.
If you do offer scratch, the chicks and mom will need appropriately sized grit. #1 for chicks and #3 for the hen.