Kirstie Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 My chicks are now 9weeks old, and mum has been laying for about two weeks but happy to be with her chicks still (at night she still has one under each wing - not sure how as they are huge ) I've been trying to integrate her back into the flock but since she's been off hatching these chicks there's been a few changes in the flock (2 chickens gone) and for some reason two of my girls (and I only have 4) are picking on belle when I try and put her back in. I'm feeling really mean as I have taken belle out of her chick run and put her in her large fenced off area with the other girls,but she is spending all her time pacing around the run to the chick house and is just not settling. Should I leave her with her chicks (they are all boys - not that that makes a difference).? What should I do? Be mean and force the issue or just wait until she .... I don't know what? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tweety Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 I have no experience of this, but personally I would leave her with her chicks until she makes the decision to leave them. The pecking order in the flock will have changed since the 2 losses, and I suppose it will be like introducing a new hen - there will be some squabbles but it will settle down eventually. Love the idea of her having 9 week old chicks under her wings at night! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 if she's not happy when you put her back in with the rest of the flock then leave her with the chicks for a bit longer some broodies just love having youngsters under foot other can't wait to get shot of them at 6 weeks old as a thourght how do the chicks behave when you put mom back in the flock Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirstie Posted July 10, 2012 Author Share Posted July 10, 2012 Ahhh thank you I was feeling the pressure of putting here back in with the other girls now she is laying again. Will I be able to tell when she is ready to leave them? The chicks settle down once she's back in with them (they are big babies! ). Should I keep letting her out with the big girls every now and again anyway - the big girls can wander around the chick run so can get close but not the same as being in with them. I thought this would be easy putting her back in - I certainly didn't see these issues popping up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted July 10, 2012 Share Posted July 10, 2012 I'd let them all free range togeather just start off slowly both of my broods were out Free Ranging from a few days old (with thier moms of course) 1 lot is just 20 weeks old the other is 7 weeks old tomorrow and are a bit fearless Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
craftyhunnypie Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 To be honest - with all my chickens. As long as they eat, drink & no blood is drawn, I turn a blind eye & let them sort out the pecking order. It soons sorts itself out! Emma.x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted July 11, 2012 Share Posted July 11, 2012 To be honest - with all my chickens. As long as they eat, drink & no blood is drawn, I turn a blind eye & let them sort out the pecking order. It soons sorts itself out!Emma.x I'm the same but I think it's a confidence thing through, Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirstie Posted July 11, 2012 Author Share Posted July 11, 2012 That's what I had been doing - shut her out with them during the day let them squabble and sort it out but it's when I went to shut her in with them that she flew around the run, climbing the walls and was really not happy! I've not had that chicken behaviour before! It was pure desperation! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirstie Posted July 14, 2012 Author Share Posted July 14, 2012 Ok so last night I thought right belle can join the other girls for the night - so when they all went to bed I put belle in with them - with a little ruffling about I left them to it! The chicks stood outside cheeping and finally went to bed. I had a touch of the guilts at 11.30pm and went out and moved her back in the morning I noticed how belle was bossing the boys out of the way so she could eat first. So she went out with the girls to free range and has put herself to bed with them (hiding in a corner!) (she didn't have a choice as I left her out until dark) so I've left her there. I think belle was happy with the boys as she could boss them and she is the tiniest hen and was from what I can remember chased a bit before from the other girls - don't blame her for wanting to stay where your not picked on but she needs to join them so that's where she is. Hope by being in with them at night makes them feel she is more one of them. Can't believe how much of a muppet I've been over trying to put her back. It's just she's my favourite lady xx and I don't want her hurt x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
