separating hens and chicks?

[dainerra]

ok this is the first time I've actually had a hen set all the way to hatching! And now there are 2. One has 3 out so far, the rest should be today. Hen #2 should be in the next few days.
Do I need to separate the 2 hens from the rest of the flock? One is in a dog crate right now and #2 took up residence in a nest box inside the coop. I was told that the hens need to be kept separate from each other or they will try to steal chicks?
Actually, that is how hen #1 ended up with 11 eggs and #2 ended up with only 2, silly me thought I could put them both together in the same small pen.

Anyway, separate them or let them free range with the rest of the flock? If keeping them separate, for how long?

 

[eggbert420]

I always let them free range. I've never had any problems. The mom knows what to do.

 

[dainerra]

I always let them free range. I've never had any problems. The mom knows what to do.

That's what I figured. I'll be leaving the dog crate up, with it's tote inside that the Raptor has been nesting in. I figure that she may want to keep in there for a while. I walked down to check feed a few minutes ago and she's up to at least 6 chicks.

 

[dainerra]