Segregate Momma Hens and Chicks or Integrate?

[Rooster Rules]

I have 2 broody Bantam hens, they each have 3 chicks, 2 bantam chix, and 4 bantamXfullsize chicks.
They are in the hen house, but barricaded, the other hens, both bantam and fullsized can hear and see them, so do the roosters.
I had all adult birds except 1 OEG bantam roo,out in the covered run the past 2 days, for the entire day. today 1 momma came out of the nest area, with the babies, the roo joined them and they were all over the hen house. I had a heck of a time getting the hen and babies back into the nest are, and barricaded, but I did. Last year my hatched stayed in the flock, right from birth, no issues, but this year there are 3 barred rock/sussex full sized hens, and do not want them to kill the babies. i do not have any other room to
e them at this point, I am thinking of taking down the small barricade, and let them integrate with the flock.
Is this sound thinking? Any opinions on this approach...thanx in advance....RR

 

[Judy]

I've always let my broodies raise their chicks in with the rest of the flock. If she does her job, she will protect the chicks from the other hens. And, when she is trhough mothering, the chicks will already be integrated into the flock. Some people do it this way, and some prefer to keep them separated and not take an chances. I've never had a problem doing it this way, but as you know, it can certainly happen. It's a personal decision.

 

[donrae]

I say let them be part of the flock. Yes, there's always a small chance something will happen to a chick, but overall I've done much better leaving momma and babies with the flock than pulling them out and trying to re-introduce everyone in a few months. That's usually way more stressful for everyone involved. Broody mommas are usually hormonal enough the other hens get out of their way!

 

[Rooster Rules]

Thanx very much for the reply, the 1 other time I have had chicks born in the hen house, all was fine....

 

[Ridgerunner]

I certainly agree with the others. You are dealing with living animals so nothing comes with a guarantee, but I've had more problems and lost more chicks trying to separate them than just letting the broody hens raise their chicks with the flock. Good luck!

 

[Rooster Rules]

I certainly agree with the others. You are dealing with living animals so nothing comes with a guarantee, but I've had more problems and lost more chicks trying to separate them than just letting the broody hens raise their chicks with the flock. Good luck!

Thanx Ridge, got the barricades down, all adult birds in the run, but will leave all together, as you and the others have suggested. The chix are doing fine, 2 are tiny bantams, and the others are 1/2 bantam breeds and 1/2 fullsized, they are definitely bigger....

 

[Ridgerunner]

Any update? How did it go?