minicoopers
Chirping
- Jul 1, 2018
- 26
- 17
- 79
Hi - long time reader, first time posting a question. I have 2 hens that hatched 5 chicks, they are 5 weeks old today. They have been raised together in a brooder away from my 2 older hens but free range in the same yard during the day. The moms are opposite side of the order; one is a Maran (lowest ranking) and the other is a barred rock (top ranking hen). They together share mom responsibilities although I have found the barred rock picking on the Maran and chasing her away from the babies on occasion. The Maran is very protective and chases down either of my 2 older hens who happen to get near a baby. I'm wondering how long it will be before I can have them all together in the same coop? The chicks go in the main coop during the day with their moms checking it out. If one of the older hens happens to be in the coop at the same time, all hell breaks loose. Do I need to wait until the momma hens wean and stop paying attention the chicks? By that time, the moms should go back to being chickens not moms and not worry who is around the chicks?