[gillyofthegables]

We have a bantam Maran hen that sat on five silkie eggs which hatched 11 days ago.  We moved them from a small house to a larger chicken house but have not let them out of the house yet. We leave the roof open during the daytime (and protected from marauding crows with wire netting) so they get plenty of sunlight and fresh air.  I dont know when we should let the chicks and their mother out of the house and into the surrounding ground as the chicks are so small and seem so vulnerable.  I am also worried that they could get lost or stuck under the chicken house which is raised off the ground on a platform. We always put our other hens away at night so would definitely want to put mum and chicks back in their hen house at night.  Any ideas gratefully received. 

[Caroline1]

Mum should look after them and when I last had a broody with chicks, I gave them their own little run so they could learn how to scratch and start building their immune system up by being outside, but still giving them protection.

[Dave C]

My broodies rear there chicks in an Ark with a 6' run, this protects them from crows & magpies, I move it daily so they get fresh grass.

Depending on there breed & size I let mine out to free range around 5-6 weeks and leave Mam with them until about 8 weeks if she's happy.