[bantam novice]

I did not mean to let my chicks in with the other chickens yet; however the decision was taken out of my hands to some degree.  I have them in a small coop with a weldmesh covered run.  This is within the larger run that the older hens use surrounded by electric mesh fence.

I slid the top of the run back to change the water and quick as a flash mother hen flew up and perched on the edge.  The two chicks did not seem worried.  I thought this may be mother hen telling me she had had enough so I closed the top of the run and sat down to watch. 

After ten minutes a crow flew in  .  The chicks set up their alarm call and mother hen seemed desperate to get back to her chicks so I opened the door at the end of the run.  Instead of mother hen going in the chicks ran out and joined her. 

My heart was in my mouth not knowing how the other girls would react.  I stayed and watched a little longer, ready to step in if there was any nastiness.  The big girls seemed to ignore the chicks mostly and when one of the big girls got too close mother hen put her in her place so I am a little more relaxed now

The door at the end of the run is still open for them and they know where the food and water is.  They do seem to be having a lovely time exploring the bigger run with mother so fingers crossed.  I'll sort out accommodation tonight when I see where they all go to bed.

[joyfull]

my chicks with their mum are out and about with the big girls as soon as mum wants to be. They then go back to their own coop at about 4 when I round them up so that they can have their own food. Do not let your big girls (except for mum) eat the chick food if it is medicated otherwise you will have to chuck the eggs away.

[JaK]

Glad their little adventure worked out for the best.

[bantam novice]

Well I went down several times to check on them but all seemed to be fine.  None of the big girls was going into the run or broody coop that I could see.  Last time I went down - about 10 mins ago - all the big girls were in the main coop so I closed their pophole.  Mother hen with chicks was standing by the end of  the run.  I gently shooed mother and chicks into the run and closed the door so at least they are safe for now and I will close the pophole later when they decide to go in... Phew! 

I am sure that now they have had a taste of the big world they will want to go back out again tomorrow but I would rather not as we have buzzards flying locally which could easily take a half-grown chick.  Mother may decide that she wants to go without them.

[evie2]

It happened to ours today, meeting the 'aunties', wee Evie was helping me let the chicks and Star in there own big run and the aunties just followed us in no problem, just happy families

Strangely the poots didn't go in, they just toddled off down the garden and disappeared in the under growth

[rossivale]

Hi Joyful

Is the normal chick crumb medicated?  Good to know these things, as I really hadn't thought about the other hens eating it (although they haven't).

Jo

[joyfull]

In the UK most is - if you look on the bag and it says ACS then it is medicated to help prevent coccidiosis, however it does not prevent all types. If you end up with cocci (you see blood in the chicks poop) then you need to change their feed to none medicated crumb (look out for the small holder range or organic ranges) and treat with coccoid or baycox.
In Europe I think most chick crumb is unmedicated.

[rossivale]

Thanks Joyfull 

Mine has ACS, but when the time comes to mix babies and adults, I will do as you do, and feed chicks and mum first, then put food away, etc.

Jo