We have a large enough coop that can have a door in to separate them. We use a screen door so they see each other. This allows hens to go out in run or free range and chicks safe inside but still part of group. When they are big enough to fend for themselves - or know to mind their business we remove screen door. Works like a charm.
My broody had her three day old chicks out with the flock today. Everyone gave her a wide berth b/c she has trained them to stay away from the chicks, especially the mean girls. They weren't two feet away from everyone else. Sat in the favorite egg box for 20 days, hatch them inside the egg box and had them out in the field next to the run on day three. Here they are today, day four. Everyone just accepts them. Last ones - she protected for 6 weeks and they have fallen in the pecking order quite nicely now. They are still low, but they are part of the flock.How have they made it for the previous 100+ years?It’s NATURAL for them to be raised by their mother hen within their flock. She will protect them as best she can. Yes, there will be altercations but they will learn. They will establish a “pecking order”.
I have a Buff Orpington named Mama. The first time she went broody I moved her to her own coop and put 4 chicks under her at night. She did a wonderful job raising them. After that I decided to put the chicks under her and not move her from the main coop. She again did a wonderful job raising them and the other chickens never bothered the chicks. I believe it was because they were not a threat to them. I made sure the babies had their own food and water close by. Mama is now almost 7. She has raised 10+ chicks, 2 turkey chicks (my photo shows her with the turkey chicks) AND even attempted to raise 4 baby bunnies. (I had to intervene that time.) None of my older birds bothered the babies. They were all welcomed into the flock. BUT I do not have a rooster. I don't know if that made a difference.
That has never happened to us in 9 years of chicken keeping.
Of course they need their mama! She will protect and reach them. Ours stay in their own crate within the coop run which we close at night so the chicks don’t get lost or stuck somewhere. In the morning everyone is let out to free range. Mamas decide when the chicks are ready to go out and mix with the flock.
Ok...what do you want...an award? I never said it happens all the time. But i personally wouldnt risk it also ive never had a broody raised chicks grow properly they are always stunted and feral so for me its a waste of time when I can hatch more in a bator that are tame.
