Sharing new chicks?

[Bunnybryn]

I have a silkie hen that's been faithfully sitting on 6 eggs and today is hatch day! My OE has been acting crazy the last couple of days, almost like she's broody and then changes her mind. I blocked off the silkies box so no one would barge in there during hatch and my OE has somehow figured out how to squeeze over the divder and I keep finding her in there with the silkie and new babies. Should I let her do that, will she help raise the babies even though she hasn't been broody? Or should I try and keep her out of there?

This is the silkies first time hatching and the OE has never been broody before. My girls are about 10 months old.

Any help is appreciated!

 

[sourland]

I'd keep the OE away from the broody hen and chicks. She's bigger and more clumsy and could inadvertently hurt the chicks or silkie hen.

 

[Bunnybryn]

Thank you!