That didn’t go well!

[Sarjeanp]

I have raised Momma and her three chicks in the same run as everyone else, but they were in their own area, separated simply by a metal gate. Within their own area, Momma and the babies were locked up at night in a large dog crate. So the flock has always somewhat “been around “Momma and the chicks. The chicks are nine weeks old now and pretty big, so I thought it was time to see how it went to let them all co-mingle. I opened the gate and let Momma and the babies wander out. It went absolutely terrible. One of my large hens kept going after Junior, the baby male, pecking him, and then my Rhode Island red, who is usually calm, walked up and attacked mom. Momma and the other hen were fighting so aggressively, it looked like a cock fight, and I had to break it off with a rake. They were chest to chest intertwined with their faces, that was bad. How in the world am I going to make this work?! Also, will my rooster, who is a good guy, hurt the Cockerel, sensing that it might be competition?!

 

[Aunt Angus]

I have raised Momma and her three chicks in the same run as everyone else, but they were in their own area, separated simply by a metal gate. Within their own area, Momma and the babies were locked up at night in a large dog crate. So the flock has always somewhat “been around “Momma and the chicks. The chicks are nine weeks old now and pretty big, so I thought it was time to see how it went to let them all co-mingle. I opened the gate and let Momma and the babies wander out. It went absolutely terrible. One of my large hens kept going after Junior, the baby male, pecking him, and then my Rhode Island red, who is usually calm, walked up and attacked mom. Momma and the other hen were fighting so aggressively, it looked like a cock fight, and I had to break it off with a rake. They were chest to chest intertwined with their faces, that was bad. How in the world am I going to make this work?! Also, will my rooster, who is a good guy, hurt the Cockerel, sensing that it might be competition?!

Yeah, that sounds chaotic!

Do your birds free range at all, or are they penned? I find it so much easier to put them out to forage together. There's more room for them to get away from each other and lots of interesting things to distract them. Then they can all go to into the coop at night.

When they were separated, could they see one another? Is it possible mama was extra aggressive because of the chicks? I'm surprised she hasn't "weaned" them yet. I find mamas are usually finished raising them by 5 or 6 weeks or so.

 

[Aunt Angus]

And the babies do need to find their spot in the pecking order. There will be some tussling... just not usually bloodshed.

 

[Toothpick]

Some hens are good moms, some are bad. I had a hen that hatched 6 chicks and raised them all with the flock no issues. She was protective. Then I had a hen that hatched 3 with the flock and she let the flock kill all 3.

At this age though they probably ain’t getting much help from momma. They need hiding spots. Places to run away from the bigger birds. With chickens I find that it’s out of sight out of mind. If they little ones can hide behind something or under something out of view then the bigger chickens won’t see them to be like “hey! Come here you little runt!”. You might have to simply separate them until they are bigger

 

[Happy hen lover]

I have a RIR that turned into a "B" when my chicks were introduced too.I would give Momma and babies some more time. Mine are are 12 weeks and still leary about going in with flock. Lots of feed stations and waterers help also. Feed and roost time are the most drama filled times here.

 

[Folly's place]

Mine get out with the flock by two or three weeks of age if a broody hen is raising them. BUT they go out while the flock is free ranging, especially at first, and the broody's digs stay in place in the coop for a few more weeks, or until she decides to bed down in another spot on the coop floor.
By now your broody hen is probably done with these chicks, so isn't interesting in protecting them. And they are ready to move into the flock, and I'd bet this cockerel is not respecting those hens enough, so he's being disciplined.
More space is definitely best when removing gates!
Mary

 

[McChooky]

Give them plenty of room. barriers and hiding places until the pullets start laying.The flock accepts 2 & 3 week old chicks better than older chicks.Maybe add them sooner next time.

 

[Sarjeanp]

Yeah, that sounds chaotic!

Do your birds free range at all, or are they penned? I find it so much easier to put them out to forage together. There's more room for them to get away from each other and lots of interesting things to distract them. Then they can all go to into the coop at night.

When they were separated, could they see one another? Is it possible mama was extra aggressive because of the chicks? I'm surprised she hasn't "weaned" them yet. I find mamas are usually finished raising them by 5 or 6 weeks or so.

They are all in the same pen, but it’s pretty good size, they’re not cramped. Yeah, they can totally see each other, they are only divided by that metal gate, that has chicken wire on it. So they had access to each other in a way. Because of that, I totally expected it to go smooth. I really think that the read came after mom. It was like they had no idea who Momma was. I need this to work, I need all of my feathered babies to live in harmony and realize they are family.

 

[Aunt Angus]

They are all in the same pen, but it’s pretty good size, they’re not cramped. Yeah, they can totally see each other, they are only divided by that metal gate, that has chicken wire on it. So they had access to each other in a way. Because of that, I totally expected it to go smooth. I really think that the read came after mom. It was like they had no idea who Momma was. I need this to work, I need all of my feathered babies to live in harmony and realize they are family.

Huh. I would have expected that to be ok, too. Maybe it was just too long to be out of the main flock?

Maybe let them out for a little bit every day and supervise them? I wouldn't intervene unless injuries are imminent. Maybe?

 

[aart]

it’s pretty good size

How big is that, in feet by feet?
Dimensions and pics would help immensely here.

So they had access to each other in a way.

But not really, separate territories, not sharing resources(space feed etc).
This is why it's best to integrate broody and chicks at about 1 week after hatch.
Mama still has her broody fierce on and chicks are small enough to not be a threat and hide out is needed.