Safe to keep baby chicks in flock?

[Fancy Tail Nancy]

Last summer, my Fancy Tail Nancy went broody. I had 1 rooster and 2 hens. I kept her in with the rest of the flock. She was an awesome mom!! She protected them from day 1 (even from "Stu", my buddy). However, I did check on them all the time for injuries, etc. and put up a 2X6 board from one side of the coop to the other in front of their ladder to the run so the babies could not go outside. It wasn't long before they (2 hens) were able to jump over the board. One of them did get pecked so I treated it by alternating Neosporin and my own salve made from essential oils and coconut oi. As of today, she is Stu's favorite. I put "Blink" cameras in my coop also so I could check on them when I wasn't home. By doing this, I was also able to get amazing pictures that I would not have seen. I want to keep everything as natural and as holistic as possible. Back in the day they were not separated and I don't intend to start. God did not create a "dumb" animal.

 

[McChooky]

My chicks were added to the run at 2 weeks old & required constant supervision.My adult hens still won't let the chicks near them so I divided a section of the run for the chicks so they can play. Chicks are the lowest in the pecking order and vulnerable so protect them the best way you can.