One month old chicks and 2 weeks old chicks...can I combine? Will Mom allow it?

[GirlsMommy18]

You could always try it when you have a chance to supervise closely. Any signs of her not liking the newcomers and I'd remove them immediately. Chasing, nipping, feather pulling, and pecking would all be good criteria for removal. If you have a wire crate or pen that you could place in the larger coop as an introduction, it might go a bit smoother. You'll never know if you don't try.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Could it have been the broody herself? (unlikely, but it has happened) If I had a hen (or rooster) kill chicks, I would give my best effort toward finding and eliminating the perpetrator. I raise enough chicks that I simply cannot afford to have that behaviour in my flock.

EDT: Maybe pen hen and chicks in the coop (see-don't touch) and see what happens?


I think they're dumber'n rocks. (Sorry, Silkie people.) One of the three I have is worth something; she has adopted orphan chicks for me.

Look into it. They might be the breed for you. Personally, I prefer birds that are a little more self-sufficient.

This is the problem. Broody's chicks hatched and were "killed" in the middle of the night. I have no idea who or what did what to who. I wish I knew. I wasn't there and haven't a clue.

 

[Peppercorngal]

You could always try it when you have a chance to supervise closely. Any signs of her not liking the newcomers and I'd remove them immediately. Chasing, nipping, feather pulling, and pecking would all be good criteria for removal. If you have a wire crate or pen that you could place in the larger coop as an introduction, it might go a bit smoother. You'll never know if you don't try.

Yes, I think later today when it warms up I'll open the run door and let Maggie and her chicks go out. I don't know how I'd get them back if it doesn't go well, but I'll just sit out and see what happens. I need to get the 4 leghorns out of the brooder because I have 8 in the incubator needing it in just less than a week! Wish me (and Maggie) luck!

 

[Peppercorngal]

You could always try it when you have a chance to supervise closely. Any signs of her not liking the newcomers and I'd remove them immediately. Chasing, nipping, feather pulling, and pecking would all be good criteria for removal. If you have a wire crate or pen that you could place in the larger coop as an introduction, it might go a bit smoother. You'll never know if you don't try.

Maggie and her chicks are in the run and the other chickens can see and somewhat interact with she and her chicks. Only hardware cloth separates them. One of the chicks did get out of the run one time and none of the other chickens reacted. Husband was out in the shed nearby and yelled for me because he heard the chick "crying" loudly! Today is the day I open the run door and I'll watch them closely.

 

[Peppercorngal]

Today's results are as follows: I opened the run door and my other chickens were thrilled to get back in there and find all the tiny treats that Maggie has missed. There were a couple of tussles between Maggie and other hens, but nothing she couldn't handle. She decided on peace and went to the furthest corner where there is a bit of sun and went to sleep with her chicks! Husband came home with groceries and I went to help him unload. When I went out again Maggie was outside the run and her chicks were inside!! I had some leftover salad and took that to the other chickens. They left the run, I closed it and grabbed Maggie and put her in the coop door, reuniting mom and chicks. I'm thinking now to leave enough alone for a few more weeks. I may try to put the leghorn chicks in with Maggie and her brood as there is plenty of room for all. I'd oversee that trial as well and be ready to intervene.

 

[Peppercorngal]

I introduced the leghorn chicks to run and coop #2 and Maggie mommy hen is fine with it. So now the 5 week old chicks are with the 3 week old chicks. They are not really interacting with each other. . .yet, but I'm sure they will a they grow up. I feel better now that I have a brooder for my soon to hatch incubator chicks.

 

[egreynolds]

Yeah, I understand what you are saying. Maggie is wonderful with me, lets me touch her, pick up the chicks, etc. but other chicks in her space is a different story! My other option is to let her go free range with the original flock and put her chicks in the brooder and put the month old chicks in the big run. . . . decisions!!

i’m having the same problem!! what did you do? did you separate your hen?

 

[Peppercorngal]

i’m having the same problem!! what did you do? did you separate your hen?

Maggie and her three chicks (almost 3 weeks old now) were in my Run & Coop #2. I went ahead and added the 6 week old leghorn chicks to the run and Maggie is fine with them. Usually (not always, don't quote me) hens don't see chicks as a threat and will ignore them. Maggie with her three and the older four leghorns are living together now. When the leghorns have all their feathers (soon), I will open the run door and let them all out to free range with the original flock during the day. They will have plenty of room to run from any unwanted pecking and will slowly integrate into the pecking order. They will most likely return to coop #2 to roost at night for a time but will eventually integrate into one flock! I've done this before with Delaware hens that I purchased last summer. My incubator eggs are due to hatch tomorrow and now I have an empty brooder that I will ready for them!