One chick & momma started laying - now what

[Rosie0550]

Only one chick survived & is now 4weeks old. Juneau is a great mom, in a separate pen, and all the other girls walk around to see & hear chick daily. So far so good, I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to integrate them back into coop life, but figured I had a bit.
I haven’t even let mom & baby out to free roam yet (should I go ahead & do that now? I’ll be outside at least for first couple of hours)

Today I went out to fill water, feed etc & found a beautiful blue egg waiting on me! Now I’m thinking mom is DEFINITELY ready to go hang out with the girls again, so questions everywhere! I promise I searched through articles to make sure I’m not asking same ones over. My plan is to let mom & baby out by themselves for a bit, then maybe let others out to see. I figure they still need to be in separate houses for a bit, but am I on right track?
What would you guys do next? I don’t want to finish raising chick, will be harder to introduce later. Also am I worried for nothing? Do they often lay eggs & I’ve just not read that anywhere? I’m not usually a nervous Chicken Mom, but this has got me questioning all I know. Thanks Friends
Pic is chick 3 days ago.

 

[sourland]

I'd let mom and the chick rejoin the flock and monitor closely.

 

[DobieLover]

Only one chick survived & is now 4weeks old. Juneau is a great mom, in a separate pen, and all the other girls walk around to see & hear chick daily. So far so good, I’ve been trying to figure out the best way to integrate them back into coop life, but figured I had a bit.
I haven’t even let mom & baby out to free roam yet (should I go ahead & do that now? I’ll be outside at least for first couple of hours)

Today I went out to fill water, feed etc & found a beautiful blue egg waiting on me! Now I’m thinking mom is DEFINITELY ready to go hang out with the girls again, so questions everywhere! I promise I searched through articles to make sure I’m not asking same ones over. My plan is to let mom & baby out by themselves for a bit, then maybe let others out to see. I figure they still need to be in separate houses for a bit, but am I on right track?
What would you guys do next? I don’t want to finish raising chick, will be harder to introduce later. Also am I worried for nothing? Do they often lay eggs & I’ve just not read that anywhere? I’m not usually a nervous Chicken Mom, but this has got me questioning all I know. Thanks Friends
Pic is chick 3 days ago.

Mom should have been allowed to take the chick into the flock when she left the nest after hatching. That is how mothers integrate their chicks.
Let them out.
The lone chick WILL have difficulty integrating even if she was brought in right after hatch by mom. She will not fully integrate until she starts laying... IF she's a she!

 

[Rosie0550]

Mom should have been allowed to take the chick into the flock when she left the nest after hatching. That is how mothers integrate their chicks.
Let them out.
The lone chick WILL have difficulty integrating even if she was brought in right after hatch by mom. She will not fully integrate until she starts

This is out first momma raised chick, I read all about separate houses etc. so was that just first week or so? When I noticed mom trying to get out more I’m guessing that is when she wanted to take chick out into the world... she is staying near baby & other girls are curious. (It’s so nice to see) momma full protective when grown ups gave a peck. I know there will be pecks & fussing, I don’t plan on interfering unless seems like injury or really ganging up. Anything else I should do?

 

[DobieLover]

This is out first momma raised chick, I read all about separate houses etc. so was that just first week or so? When I noticed mom trying to get out more I’m guessing that is when she wanted to take chick out into the world... she is staying near baby & other girls are curious. (It’s so nice to see) momma full protective when grown ups gave a peck. I know there will be pecks & fussing, I don’t plan on interfering unless seems like injury or really ganging up. Anything else I should do?

Just let them out.
The other flock members will naturally peck the chicks to check them out. It doesn't mean they are hurting or attacking them. Mom will allow curiosity pecks from hens she trusts.

 

[MountainWoman73]

My broody is taking her chick outside, and the others are observing through the fence. (Only she has access to outside the run right now.) They also can see and hear each other from the two sides of my coop, only separated by hardware cloth. I anticipate having them all back together by the time the chick is 3 weeks old. I just don't want him to get stepped on right now.

 

[DobieLover]

My broody is taking her chick outside, and the others are observing through the fence. (Only she has access to outside the run right now.) They also can see and hear each other from the two sides of my coop, only separated by hardware cloth. I anticipate having them all back together by the time the chick is 3 weeks old. I just don't want him to get stepped on right now.View attachment 2694425

It will be fine with mom protect it.