When to integrate?

[rwgrout]

Hi!!

First time with a hen who has hatched her own. Only 1 hatched (the others may not have even been viable, she was an egg thief!) She is a great mom!! Here's the scenario: I have her and the chick in a separate part of the coop/run they are separated only by chicken wire. I didn't have them separated at first but Mom became a complete freak when any others came near her I assumed none (including myself) needed all that extra stress. Should I have just let nature take its course and they would have been fine? (I mean, they have been doing this for a millennia) But now that I have, how old should the chick be before I take the barrier down?

Appreciate your guidance.

 

[Pork Pie]

I’ve always found that momma and chicks are fine with the flock from day 1 (my flock free ranged, that may a significant factor). In general, I found that adult flock members showed little interest or aggression to young chicks. Only when they got to around 6 weeks old did the adults teach chicks some manners. The sooner the chick is with the flock, the better imo.

 

[aart]

But now that I have, how old should the chick be before I take the barrier down?

I wait until about a week or two after hatch to 'take down that wall'.
Just did it this week, waited a few days longer than usual due to heavy rain, after making sure they could navigate the ramp and setting up a creep feeder. Biggest issue will be mama making her place in the pecking order.