I've a hen who has successfully hatched and reared 5 chicks, who are now 7 weeks old. They are in a pen inside the main henhouse (a converted stable) but as they grow, space is getting tight! They are still too small to let out - I don't trust the yard cats, or our dogs, never mind wild predators! - so at what point would you remove the hen? I have tried taking her out during the day, but she gets very upset and angry. They still all cuddle up together with mum at night, too.
The other problem is feeding - I've been giving the hen layers pellets while the babies were on chick crumb, but they are moving onto growers pellets now and apparently they shouldn't be eating the layers. If I leave the hen with them, would it harm her to eat the growers pellets for a few weeks, until the youngsters are old enough for layers? I have had hens rear chicks in the past but can't remember what I did with them!
The most amazing thing though is that at the moment it looks like all 5 are pullets
I'd be grateful for any thoughts /shared experience!