When to add babies to flock

[Maryrose]

Need some advice please. One of my hens went broody, got fertile days eggs, only 1 hatched so we bought day old chicks, unfortunately we did not add them at night so she only accepted 3 of them..so we have been raising the other 6 separately. Mom and 4 babies 4 wks old are now with the older 8 hens..no problem there. The other 6 babies, also 4 weeks old, are in separate area where everyone can see them through chicken wire. When can I add them to the flock..would love to try soon but afraid mom will attack them...do I wait u till she is done being a mommy? Any advice would be appreciated. Thank you.

 

[junebuggena]

After they've been next door for about two weeks. This gives the chicks a chance to learn which adults they need to stay away from.

 

[IZZYBELLA]

As long as they are feathered enough for the temperature wherever you are, I agree with the poster above. I'd closely monitor the interactions at first, perhaps with a few sessions of supervised free-ranging. Also, make sure there are plenty of "hiding" spaces that the little ones can get under but the big girls can't. The babies do a remarkable job at avoiding mean hens... they learn quickly! Integration is never fun! Good luck!

 

[Maryrose]

Thanks for words of wisdom! I'll try in a few days under supervision..we have a pretty large fenced in area with lots of hiding areas..had adults for 3 yrs..my first attempt at babies. Don't want anyone to get hurt.

 

[MagpieDucks]

Would it still work to try and reintroduce them to the Mom at night? Would she notice?

 

[Maryrose]

Well, kind of doubt it..all the babies are 4 weeks old - I believe too big, but a good thought. I'm going to try introducing them in a few days..thank you

 

[bobbi-j]

Would it still work to try and reintroduce them to the Mom at night? Would she notice?

At this age, they're too old to bond with her.

 

[Mikus]

Well, kind of doubt it..all the babies are 4 weeks old - I believe too big, but a good thought. I'm going to try introducing them in a few days..thank you

I'm in the same position, my broody has 7 chicks which are 3 weeks old, she abandoned the last egg half way through hatching so I'm now rearing it in the house, I put her into the pen yesterday with mum and all the other chicks, everything was fine for about 15mins and then out of nowhere my broody attacked the hand reared chick, it was awful, when I eventually rescued the wee mite she was traumatised and a little blood was drawn, she's fine now but I've decided to wait until she's much older to integrate her into the rest of the flock. I have no doubt that if I hadn't been supervising she would have killed her, it was very vicious!!!

 

[aart]

The other 6 babies, also 4 weeks old, are in separate area where everyone can see them through chicken wire.

Put 'tiny doors' in the wire wall...openings about 3 x 3", chicks can fit thru but older birds cannot. A piece of lattice works well, so I've heard. Attach it to the CW, with some wire or zipties, and pull part of CW up to expose lattice openings

This is how I do it:
https://www.backyardchickens.com/articles/integrating-new-birds-at-4-weeks-old.72603/

 

[IZZYBELLA]

I'm in the same position, my broody has 7 chicks which are 3 weeks old, she abandoned the last egg half way through hatching so I'm now rearing it in the house, I put her into the pen yesterday with mum and all the other chicks, everything was fine for about 15mins and then out of nowhere my broody attacked the hand reared chick, it was awful, when I eventually rescued the wee mite she was traumatised and a little blood was drawn, she's fine now but I've decided to wait until she's much older to integrate her into the rest of the flock. I have no doubt that if I hadn't been supervising she would have killed her, it was very vicious!!!

Good for you that you were watching! Isn't it just awful seeing how vicious they can be?