new chick

[waterbird15]

I have a cochin hen that hatched one chick about 3 weeks ago. Right now she is in her own pen within the coop but seems like she wants to get out and move around. The flock consists of one rooster and 5 hens (including the mama in question and one broody hen). Overall they get along really well and the rooster isn't very aggressive. When is it safe to allow mama and baby out with the rest of the flock?

 

[pkeeler]

"Safe" is probably when the chick is fully grown. However, the mama hen might go insane by then.

I let mine mix earlier than 3 weeks. Usually, mama will start roosting at that age (and so will the chicks). Further, mama hens hold their poo in and like to get away for one large stinky dropping. She might be holding in and that is why she wants to get out.

I'd let them mix, monitor the situation if you are worried.

 

[Ridgerunner]

In my opinion, and depending on how much room you have, when the chick is 2 days old is a great time. I'd definitely try it while mama is still protective of the chick. She'll take care of most of the integration issues.

Some people have reported disasters when letting a hen raise chicks with the flock. You are dealing with living creatures and anything can happen. It does depend on the personalities of the chickens involved and how much room you have, but what "normally" happens is that a chicken pecks a chick, mama severely reprimands the offender, a lesson is learned, and there are no more problems. When you let them out, monitor for a while and see what happens. Some hens will go after young chicks. Usually the rooster is protective but sometimes they can be a problem. And it depends somewhat on how protective mama really is. A good mama will take care of her chicks.

Good luck.