When should chicks be introduced to the flock?

[Immensely_Confused]

I currently have two hens who are wonderfully co-parenting a pair of chicks, and they've been kept in the barn, away from other chickens, since around the time the chicks hatched. The chicks are now three weeks old. We did that because 1) the other chickens were stressing one of the hens out, 2) we have some cats who might look at young chicks as food, 3) we have a hawk problem, and 4) we also had several young cockerels at the time who had behaved aggressively towards smaller chickens.
Now, the weather is getting colder here, and the chicks are quickly becoming fully-feathered despite their age. The cockerels have been dealt with, and they're getting to be the size where our cats stop looking at them as food.
Should we do introduce them when they're larger, even if there's a chance of the hens weaning them off before that happens? Should we do it when they're younger because the hens will be looking after them, even if there's a higher chance of predation or them being bullied by the flock? [The chicks are confident to a fault, and fly everywhere; the poor hens just try their best to keep them out of trouble.]
When should we introduce the chicks?

 

[BDutch]

Do you free range your chickens? Or have an uncovered open run? How much space for how many chickens? Are there hiding places?

If the chicks are protected against predators, and you have enough space for them all, there is no need to keep the mothers and chicks apart from the rest. The mamma’s will defend the chicks against the other flock members.
Give your flock chick feed in several feed stations to avoid problems. (grit and oyster shell on the side).

Free ranging with a small risk of predators and plenty hiding places is a possibility too.

 

[Yardmom]

I would integrate sooner rather than later. The older the chicks the more older birds feel the need to show their dominance. Be aware that the mamas may scuffle in their instincts to protect the chicks, but also because they have been out of the flock for a bit.

 

[Immensely_Confused]

I would integrate sooner rather than later. The older the chicks the more older birds feel the need to show their dominance. Be aware that the mamas may scuffle in their instincts to protect the chicks, but also because they have been out of the flock for a bit.

Thank you.

Do you free range your chickens? Or have an uncovered open run? How much space for how many chickens? Are there hiding places?

If the chicks are protected against predators, and you have enough space for them all, there is no need to keep the mothers and chicks apart from the rest. The mamma’s will defend the chicks against the other flock members.
Give your flock chick feed in several feed stations to avoid problems. (grit and oyster shell on the side).

Free ranging with a small risk of predators and plenty hiding places is a possibility too.

We free-range, but also have a coop with a somewhat-covered run in case of some emergency. They have plenty of hiding spaces and many forested acres to use, but birds of prey are a big issue. Thanks for your input

 

[Mrs. K]

This is apt to be a bit of a wreck. Because you separated the mama's, they are now strangers to the flock. A good chance they will be attacked when they come back to the flock. And by 3 weeks, the hormones for broodiness, is probably starting to fall. SO they will be defending themselves, and the chicks will be on their own.

In the future - lock the cockerels in the barn, and any good broody hen will take on a cat.

This time however, I would section off a part of the coop, in a corner. Put the broody hens and chicks in there ASAP. Wait a couple of days and then do this:

Let the broodies out with the flock, and raise up the fence a couple of inches off the ground, leaving the chicks inside there with food and water. This allows the chicks to explore and retreat to safety on their terms.

What I expect to happen, is that there will be bluster - chasing, pecking, and feathers being pulled with the hens. But it should settle if you truly have enough room and clutter in the run. I would expect that the broody hens will lay down, by the fence with the chicks. The chicks will come out near them, and scuttle to safety as needed.

But as Ridgerunner states - there really is no saying, for sure, this is what will happen.

Mrs K