[ayrt1010]

Just wanted a bit of advice, my chicks are coming up to 6 weeks now, and I was wondering when I should let them out of there run into the open and second when do I take the hen away from them, Any advice would be gratefuly received, Thank you 

[jaykay]

Well, I wouldn't take the hen away from them - I can't think of a reason to do that artificially.

If they've got a mum looking out for them I should think you could let them out now. Personally I'd do it while I was around and watch for too much interest turning into nastiness from the flock. If they're fine, good, if not maybe pen mum and chicks where the flock can see them but not get at them, for a while longer.

[in the hills]

Yep ..... as Jaykay says 


Mum will do her best to protect them from the flock and warn them of other dangers too. She will let you know when she is ready to leave them and probably return to her original coop of her own free will. Some of mine are laying again by the time the chicks are 6 weeks old and have definitely had enough of their brood. Others stay much longer.

[chrismahon]

We remove the hen at 6 weeks Ayrt and put her our of sight of them. She needs to recover her strength before going into the original flock and also be introduced slowly. She is effectively an outsider too weak to defend herself properly we have found. The chicks are kept in a separate run until they reach 20 plus weeks, then they can be introduced and are able to look after themselves. Space is an issue -they need room to manouvre and the old flock needs not to feel that their feeding space has been compromised. Extra feeders and drinkers help diffuse trouble spots.

[ayrt1010]

Thanks for advice, the chicks have their own space so I will start letting them out, happy chicks!!

[aaronsundin]

Just be aware of crows , rooks , sparrow hawks etc - last summer I had a hen with 3 x 6 week old chicks which I let loose with the rest of the flock .The other chooks didn't bother them at all but after a couple of days  two got snatched by crows even though mum was still with them . I think the size of the chicks is also a deciding factor when letting them loose , I now keep my chicks penned up until tey're the size of small bantams. The crows arn't interested in them then .