Need advice about chick born in henhouse

[derby]

Yesterday, an egg hatched in the henhouse (long story - it's actually a duckling). The rest of the hens were out for the day. That evening, I left my 4 other hens in the run to allow the duckling to get through it's first day without being attacked. Is it safe to let the hens back into the henhouse tonight? I could leave them in the run again, but the door is probably not secure enough to fend off a predator. I have a small cage I could move Momma and duckling into, but the duckling may be able to slip through the bars.

Will Momma defend the duckling? Or at least hide it under her wings? Two hens have been in there today and haven't paid attention to the peeping noise.

Sorry for the stupid questions. I see lots of info about introducing new chicks, but nothing about a chick born in the henhouse. MAybe the dynamics are different since all the hens knew she was broody.

Derby

 

[jossanne]

I've had two batches of chicks hatched in the hen house and left there. The mama hens took care of them well, and none of the others ever even bothered them, at least never that I witnessed. They were a great little happy family, and it was fun to watch.

I have new babies hatching in the hen house today, but I'm not going to be able to leave them there because my chickens free range, and I've got too many outside cats. ( Wish I could just leave them all right where they're at.

Good luck!