When can we intermix chicks with the flock?

[aroostercalledBrownie]

I think we may of done something wrong, and it's kind of a long story... So, basically we used to have a young rooster and two hens, and one day the roo got the idea of mating with one of them (she is a red ranger, roo is rhode island red). The hen he mated with was not broody and she went completely berserk, soon we had to get rid of the roo for various reasons and we took the fertile eggs from the hen and stuck them in incubator, and surprisingly 2 of 3 hatched. Six weeks later we tried to intermix them by putting them in two different coops next two each other, and their "mom" was not happy. In fact, she did not take it well at all. Can she tell they are hers? what should I do?

 

[Sseckel]

That's great you were able to hatch some of her eggs! I don't believe your hen can tell and don't put them in with her. It is very likely that she will hurt them. I do brood my chicks in my main coop but they are divided by a wire mesh wall from the adult hens. Whenever I put new ones out there the hens go nuts for a little while before they adjust. Hens hate change and that is most likely what you hen is reacting too. IMHO

 

[aroostercalledBrownie]

That's great you were able to hatch some of her eggs! I don't believe your hen can tell and don't put them in with her. It is very likely that she will hurt them. I do brood my chicks in my main coop but they are divided by a wire mesh wall from the adult hens. Whenever I put new ones out there the hens go nuts for a little while before they adjust. Hens hate change and that is most likely what you hen is reacting too. IMHO

Thank you so much!

 

[Peppercorngal]

No, the hen doesn't have any idea that they are hers! You can keep them separate but together through wire and when the chicks are 4 or 5 weeks old allow them a way to go out with the other chickens, but can run back into their brooder when scared. I put a graduated wire up so the chicks can get out but the adult chickens can't get in. Also a hen doesn't have to be broody to allow a rooster to mate with her. Your boy may have been young and flowing with hormones and frankly, rude at his mating! You know, doing the chase and grab method like a teenager!

 

[rosemarythyme]

No she doesn't know these are her babies, as far as she's concerned they're new and intruding, so you must treat them as if they were strangers. You've started the look but don't touch part of the process. After a few weeks, when they've gotten used to seeing each other, you can start trying to let them co-mingle with supervision. I'd suggest adding plenty of obstacles in the run for the chicks to hide behind as well as multiple food sources to reduce food aggression issues.