When to move Broody hen & 6 week old chicks to flock

[T-Amy]

Currently I have 2 fenced-in pastures:

Pasture 1: 29 Layers with ~4' high poultry netting (has big openings whereby chicks could fit through, but if the larger ones wanted to escape, they'd need to fly over if they want to get to the other side, which one does daily).

Pasture 2: Includes Momma, her 4 babies (~6 weeks old), 100 Freedom Ranger meaties that are about 1/2 grown, & 9 pullets (~ 6 weeks old) that are MUCH bigger than momma's 4 chicks despite their all being the same age.

Momma is mean to everyone, (I know she's doing her job but she's, quite frankly, a b**ch) & I don't think everyone is able to get their turn at the feeders when she's around- she seems to stress everyone out & I worry what impact that has on the overall environment for everyone. I'd like to put broody momma, her 4 chicks, & the 9 pullets all back with the flock- but am worried what to expect while she re-establishes her pecking order/protects her chicks from full-grown hens, and if the babies will be OK. The scenario now is just not working so I need to figure something else out.

 

[CracklesIsACrow]

We let one of my hens brood until there were chicks, and we let them with there flock since they were born and the hen would pertect them until one day, i asummed she was letting them take care of them selves, but there alright so!

 

[T-Amy]

That's great- I know there are conflicting theories & I'm sure people have had both good & bad results with both options (leave her with them the entire time or keep separate til they're bigger)

I just went out & noticed momma appears to be trying to lay an egg- the babies are off on their own, napping in a corner near the house- as if they know to leave her alone?