Need advice on what to do with hen and her newly hatched chicks...should I just keep door to coop op

[dashfox]

I'm probably over thinking this and should just let nature run it's course but I would hate to lose one of these sweet babies which is exactly what almost happened yesterday. I left the door to the coop open yesterday and saw the mama and a few of her babies right outside the front of the coop. I walked in the coop to check on the others and that is when I saw the tail of a snake trying to hide from me!!! I counted all the babies and quickly moved everyone to safety while my husband and son took care of the snake (VERY long black snake...yikes)! I was actually very surprised to see my hen trying to go after the snake! It was about to have a feast and if I had just been a minute slower it probably would have! Now today, I'm worried about whether or not I should keep the door to coop open to let them go out if they want to for fear that another snake will be attracted to all the little chirps! Do I just let them out knowing that there is not much I can do to protect them and I have to face losing some to predators? They were so happy out together foraging the other day and it was so cute watching mama teaching her babies how to scratch and bathe. I can't watch them all the time though and my rooster is more attached to his first born and it's mama to even care about this mama and her babies!

Thanks so much!

 

[bobbi-j]

That's a choice that only you can make. If you're willing to risk it, leave the door open. If not, then leave them in the coop. I have a hen with eight 2-day old babies right now in the coop. I usually leave them separated for a week, then introduce them to the flock, but keep them in the run for another couple of weeks if possible. (I have barn cats that I don't quite trust).