Need help with chicks

[tatt2dchk1]

Rookie mistake. ... didn't separate broody hen from flock until it was too late, so chicks hatched out at different times. I brought the first 5 in the house to the brooder because they fell out of the nesting box and she wouldn't get out due to still sitting on eggs... I then separated my coop off into 2 sections and put the momma with the remaining eggs alone (the babies are now on my screened porch in a play pen at 4 weeks old) the mom hatched out only 1 more egg (that baby is 3 weeks old now)and they have been in their separate coop alone. ...my question is, now that it's time to put these month old babies outside will they be okay with the momma and her lone little baby or will she kill then to protect it? Momma hen acts like she wants in the big coop with the rest of the flock the past couple days but I didn't want to split her and the baby up. ... there's not enough room in my coop for a 3rd section so what should I do? I should also mention that the flock free ranges in the day time do the door to the big coop is open except at night. .... any advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Pork Pie]

I guess you could try to introduce the 4 weeks old to the mum and the3 week old but under supervision because if she rejects them then its curtains for those guys!

At 4 weeks old and since you free range your flock, you may wish to let your chicks out and see how they do as an alternative but ensure that you have multiple feeding and watering stations.

Another option maybe to quickly cobble together a small brooder coop - this is what i have done - see pic above. I connect this to a small run so the chicks can have some room during the day and return the mini-coop to the main coop in the evening. Just make sure the mini-coop your build fits into your main coop.

Either way, in another 2 weeks the 4 week old should be more than ready to fend for themselves, so you may wish to try the first two options first.

Good luck!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Let the mommy out with her chick and put the other chicks where she was for a week or two. Then let them integrate, mommy hen may have to squabble her way back into the flock, I usually only keep them separated for a week or two, then away they go.

 

[tatt2dchk1]

Thanks all for the advice all ... I'm going to try to move them when I get home from work