When to let momma and the babies out of the dog crate...

[WyoChickenMamma]

Because of the configuration of my coop, when I had two hens go broody I ended up having to move them to dog crates within the coop on day 18. Well on momma now has three 6 day old chicks and the other is set to start hatching in 2 days.

I had to move them because other hens where trying to use those nesting boxes and they stepped on eggs and broke three of the 14. They were also 4 feet off the ground and not the best choice for the chicks when they were hatched.

So my question is when should I allow the mommas to take the chicks out of the crates and into the general population of the coop. I have 27 other full size hens who use this coop. At this point when I open the mommas crate to give them food and water she goes out for a few minutes to poo and stretch her legs, then goes right back in and sits down and the babies go back under her. Both times she has left the crate it has been for less than one minute and the three little chicks stand still like little soldiers at attention. I have not allowed any of the other hens to be in the crates. So should I wait a bit longer until the chicks are older and bigger or leave the door open and let momma make that choice (my only concern here is the other girls going in there and bothering the chicks). My other hen who is still setting is on 5 eggs and in a smaller crate, she makes no effort to move off the eggs when I change her food and water.

On a side note...I really think there is nothing cuter than baby chicks sitting on the mommas back. So precious.

 

[Judy]

Personal choice. I have let mine out into the flock on day 2 or so, whenever they want to leave, or when mama starts taking them out of the nest to eat and drink. Some people let mamas raise them separately, but when mama stops being a mother after a few weeks, you have chicks who are too small to be integrated. This way, when mama quits, the flock is used to the chicks.

 

[WyoChickenMamma]

That is a good thought, I had not even thought about them being used to them when she decides she is done...how long will that be btw? Only a few weeks?

 

[Judy]

I think the average is 4 to 6 weeks. That's about what mine took.

 

[WyoChickenMamma]

She is so good with them, I hope the other broody hen I have will be as good or better with hers, she is sitting on five eggs...gonna be a bit more work than just three!