Several questions re: raising chicks

[farmert]

This year we had a hen to hatch and raise a chick. Only one. He/she is now six weeks old. They are in a separate coop and the mother hen is tired of being confined although she has lots of room. We have twelve hens and one rooster who are used to free ranging during the afternoon and she's ready to do that again.

It is too soon to let them out and go back to the regular coop? We have a small farm and there are predators. We do our best but we can't be with them 24/7.

The local feed store is selling chicks who are five and six weeks' old for $3.50. I wondered if we could get a few of these young ones so that the lone chick would have age-related pals.

If so, would the mother hen be ok with them being in the same coop she is in now? Or, should we let the mother hen and chick go back in with the regular group in the original coop and separate the newbies for the time being?

 

[Haihai]

I would try letting them range all together and see how they do, that's what I did with mine and it worked out great. Now they are all in the same coop, I let them range together for about a week and then they all just went into the same coop together at night...

 

[farmert]

Thanks for the quick reply. Just to be clear -- if I buy a few 6-7 week olds, they are ok to put in the coop with everyone else and then allow them to range outside the coop in the afternoons? In other words, just like we do for everyone else?

 

[Haihai]

I personally would just let the mamma and baby chick range together at your normal ranging time with everyone else, then at night put them in there own coop, then during the day let them range with everyone else... I did this with mine for about a week and by the end of the week they were all in the same coop together, I only had one baby chick as well ( my chickens go in the coop on there own around 830pm at 9 pm all I do is just walk out there and lock it up... and dish out treats of course lol)

 

[farmert]

Thanks, Haihai. I may be overprotective since this is the first non-human brooding event. The mother hen has been great so far, but I know she is ready to range with her pals. Guess it is time for the chick to grow up, eh?

 

[SunHwaKwon]

I let my mamas back with the flock within a week of the babies hatching. I just wait long enough for the babies to be getting around well. Most Mamas do a good job of watching after and protecting their baby but keep an eye on them at first. Given the baby is so old I don't think you'll have problems. Most hens wean the babies by then.

 

[Haihai]

@farmert I know the feeling lol I swear sometimes I worry more about the chickens then I do about myself lol.

 

[farmert]

I think my question was answered today, but it brings up another one. When I let the hen/chick out in the fenced area, the mother hen flew over it (she's a flyer). She is now grazing and scratching and enjoying herself. Meanwhile, the chick is still in the fenced area, peeping. Mother is about thirty feet away. Is it time to let out the chick?

I'm not so sure the mother will come to the chick's protection.

Would appreciate advice soon.
thanks

 

[SunHwaKwon]

Yes, she is ready to be free of it. She may or may not protect it but it should be fine on it's own. What is your predator situation there?

If you are going to buy the other chicks you have it join them and then once they spend a week in "see but don't touch" area start letting them out together so they can watch each other's backs.

A lot of times my weaned chicks will start hanging out near one of the roosters for protection.

 

[farmert]

Here is the play by play for the afternoon. We kept an eye on the chick as she explored (and peeped), staying close to her coop. Mother hen had no interest.

When it was time for everyone to come in for feeding, she ran in with all the big girls and the rooster. I think she will be fine tonight, but I am a bit concerned for morning time prior to our opening up the coop. She can probably get away if she needs to, but it isn't as spacious as the outside coop area.

One thing about it: she didn't seem to be afraid go in with everyone. My concern was that she would be left all alone tonight in the second coop.

There was a lot of time this afternoon for all the hens and rooster to check her out. It was pretty interesting to watch them.