Raise by Mama in the Coop, Brooder, or Run??

[Chickin Fairy]

Mama hatched out two bantam chicks Sunday. Since then, I'm struggling with where to let her raise them, please help!

The area I have is a coop and run I originally purchased for my flock of 6, and I moved them in after 5 weeks inside in a brooder with heating plate. Then we built our big run and coop attached to the og coop and run at the end of each run. The coop is large and elevated, but it's been nearly 90° every day here and the thing gets hot.

The run is a big space where they are currently. Lots of room, lots of things for Mama to teach the babies, and I blocked off the end that is under the coop with a thick sheet to keep them out of the sun/wind, but the nights are in the mid 60°s right now, perfect for Mama to keep them warm.

My worry are the racoons. They were circling the run nearly every hour last night. Pic attached, you can see the racoon on the right side of the photo. I trust my run (hardware cloth, hardware skirt going out a foot from the run, covered, additional latches for reinforcement), but it only takes being wrong once.

Or, do I set my brooder up again? Not ideal for me, but I could do that for a couple of weeks where I know they would be safe and cool.

Please help, I need advice, is my best option here the coop, run, or brooder? I want them to be in the run because it'll help their immune system and cold/heat tolerance, but I don't want to be impulsive and want them safe.

 

[SueT]

Do NOT leave them where raccoons can see them. They will tear thru mesh eventually.
I don’t know what your coop is like, but I would figure out a way to lock them in the coop at night. You don’t need a brooder, mama keeps them warm. I have an area in my coop where a hen and chicks can be separated from the flock. But if you hen is high in the pecking order, they don’t need to be separated.

 

[Chickin Fairy]

Do NOT leave them where raccoons can see them. They will tear thru mesh eventually.
I don’t know what your coop is like, but I would figure out a way to lock them in the coop at night. You don’t need a brooder, mama keeps them warm. I have an area in my coop where a hen and chicks can be separated from the flock. But if you hen is high in the pecking order, they don’t need to be separated.

Thank you, I was absolutely looking for this advice. I have two coops, one is attached to this run for only her and the chicks. I will move them up there in the evening where they will be safer. Is it okay to move them back into the run during the day? She's about in the middle in the pecking order and is a bantam. My two big bully Wyandottes harass her some. I'll be moving the chicks and her into the big coop in a dog crate when they are a little bigger.

 

[SueT]

Sounds good to me. I would think that if the bullies leave the babies alone, then you’re good putting them together during the day….

 

[Chickin Fairy]

Sounds good to me. I would think that if the bullies leave the babies alone, then you’re good putting them together during the day….

One of the bullies grabbed a chick almost immediately when they were out together. Ugh. Hence why they are separated.