Question about keeping newly hatched chicks with flock.

[gritsar]

I went out to check on my younger flock this morning. Just peeking through the screened door I couldn't see Rowdy, one of my older chicks. Then I took a second look at my rooster. Rowdy was tucked up between the roo's legs. I've also noticed that the roo, Impy, gets extremely upset when I handle the newest chicks and they start peeping loudly.

Never underestimate the value of a roo in helping to raise chicks with the flock and keep them safe. After all, a rooster has a vested interest in making sure the chicks survive; they're his offspring and his future.

 

[Judy]

My broodies all have raised their chicks in with the flock. It can be a problem, I've read, but has not happened to me in 5 batches with various roosters and various mamas.

 

[ChickyLoo]

Quote:
So glad to have found this thread & several others, finally! I have 2 wk old chicks with mama in a dog crate & some chick wire to extend their little run. The hens have been curious there was some pecking through the crate that looked like cock fighting! My roo would referee & even stopped it at times, I don't worry about him harming the chicks. This went on for several days but it's calm now. I want to give them more room & plan to open up the crate to explore with mama in the

next couple days. I feel more confident that it will be ok after reading all the positive experiences.

 

[Mrs. K]

Mine hatch out right in the coop, and all I do for the first few days is get down there early and let them out to free range, the layers and roo leave, and mama takes her babies out at her own pace. My chicks learn quickly to keep mama between them and anyone else.

This year, at 3.5 weeks, I lost my broody and 2 chicks to a predator. The rest of the chicks escaped and came back to the coop. I was worried how they would all get along, but they are just part of the flock. They do get an occasional thump, but nothing threatening. I do have multiple feeders and waters, but last night the feed bucket was empty, and eveyone hungry when I got there, and when I filled it, one chick got right in the middle of it and 6 hens and a roo were all around it, and no one bothered her.

If you have a broody raise them, it is all of the fun and almost none of the work. Don't make it more work. The earlier you let the mama take them outside, and around the stronger and healthier they will be.

MrsK

 

[ChickyLoo]

Well I chickened out & decided to move mama & chicks out of the flock. Mostly because there are too many holes around the run that the chickies could get through. We are raising some roos for food who are now 4wks old so I put mama & chicks there instead where the area is more secure. First thing mama did when I opened up her crate was take a long dust bath! She deserved it

she definitely let those roos know who is boss! A couple silly roos thought they could peck at the chicks but mama would not allow that. Such a good mama!

 

[Smittenroade]

I have 2 batches of chicks right now 1 is being raised by mama in the woods and the other is with mama in the brooder. I'm going to do a little study and see the pros and cons between natural vs brooder.

 

[StephiJo]

This is a great thread! I am about to let my broody hen & baby chicks out with the flock for the first time. What happens at night? I assume Mama will lead them into the coop with everyone else and skip the roost to sleep on the floor with her babies? I'm a little worried about the babies climbing the ramp into the coop; will they fall off and get hurt? Also concerned during the day because we have 3 barn kittens roaming around looking for a tasty treat...Mama and my rooster show great signs of protectiveness so far & I hope they will go after those kitties...

 

[song of joy]

If the chicks are really young (less than 1 week) they may have trouble navigating the ramp. I watch for this during the first week and sometimes have to help a chick or two up the ramp until they get the hang of it. I've had two hens go broody this year, and both decided to roost with the rest of the flock when the chicks where only 3 weeks old. Surprisingly, all but one of the chicks was able to make its way up to a 32" high roost bar to be with mom.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

I confine mine within a wire ring inside the coop for the first week or two, until I am sure all the chicks are eating and drinking and they are able to keep up with mom and get away from any crabby hens, then I let them go, and determine if they need to return to the ring for at bit or not.

 

[Jeanette39042]

My brother-in-law took some of my eggs and hatched them in an incubator. Do these chicks have to be kept away from the flock?