When to reintroduce hen and chicks to flock

[BradD20]

My hen sat for 20 days in our coop, i moved her to a brooder on day 20. She hatched 7 chicks, and they have been in the separate brooder for 4 days now. When should i re introduce them to the flock? My concern was that our coop is raised 3’ with a fairly steep 2x10 ramp. What age should they be good to go back?

 

[Noraaaaa]

I would reintroduce them at about a month old. I’m not sure how nice your flock is, but that’s when I have done that for mine!

 

[Muser]

Expect some squabbling upon reintroduction.

Allow the chicks to be old enough to take a peck or two from the older ones.

Try the see but no touch method of introduction through a fence for a few weeks if possible.

It might not be possible for all chicken owners but at about 6 weeks old I started to take one older hen at a time and placed them in with broody hen and the babies (so you don't get gang on mentality or a frenzy of the older ones). There will be better chick to hen ratio so they have a more successful chance at running away to protect themselves and for broody hen to protect them too. Then after an introduction of about 20 mins, let the older hen back with the main flock. At about 8 weeks, I let them all out together and monitored them closely. Pecks and a few feathers pulled but no blood.

Plenty of food to encourage group pecking/foraging. They may chase the little ones away from the food but it keeps the bigger girls occupied as they become accustomed to the new ones.

Good luck with the chicks!