Roosters/other hens kill chicks?

[oldwynooche]

I have a broody hen sitting on eggs in the coop. She joins the flock daily and the rooster defends the coop. Someone said a rooster/other hens will kill chicks and she needs to be separated from the flock while the chicks are small. Advice?

 

[Got_The_Chick_Itch]

Separate them

 

[50-45-1]

She joins the flock daily a

This does not sound like dedicated broody behavior to me.
My broodies come off the nest briefly, make alot of racket, eat, drink and poop, then right back on the nest untill the next day. They do not join witb the flock and do flock stuff.
Regardless, most broodys and chicks are fine left with the flock. Sometimes there is trouble when broody is to timid and can not defend herself or her chicks from aggressive hens that pick on them.
This first time with chicks off the nest needs your supervision.
Also think about the nest situation. Is it to high for chicks to get down and back up?
Are there ramps that chicks will be confused by and become separated from mom?
Chicks need a chick safe access to water and should only eat chick starter and bugs there mom feeds them.
Good luck with your hatch!

 

[oldwynooche]

This does not sound like dedicated broody behavior to me.
My broodies come off the nest briefly, make alot of racket, eat, drink and poop, then right back on the nest untill the next day. They do not join witb the flock and do flock stuff.
Regardless, most broodys and chicks are fine left with the flock. Sometimes there is trouble when broody is to timid and can not defend herself or her chicks from aggressive hens that pick on them.
This first time with chicks off the nest needs your supervision.
Also think about the nest situation. Is it to high for chicks to get down and back up?
Are there ramps that chicks will be confused by and become separated from mom?
Chicks need a chick safe access to water and should only eat chick starter and bugs there mom feeds them.
Good luck with your hatch!

I should have been clear. Broody hen joins flock for a few minutes once a day. She does make a lot of noise and rooster drops everything and runs to coop to check on her. I'll have to think about the ramp situation. There is a ramp to the ground that a young chick could not possibly figure out. Maybe I'll raise the sill to the coop until the chicks get bigger.