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[Bevanron <erthnsky AT bellsouth.net>]

This morning, I went out to discover that my broody hen, a barred rock,
has hatched 7 chicks...They are soooo cute!  While I have bought day
olds many times and incubated and hatched eggs, this is the first time
that I have ever had naturally hatched chicks, so I am interested in
hearing what's going to happen next from those who have witnessed this
before.  I moved her and her chicks from the nestbox inside the coop(the
nestbox was almost 4 feet above the ground AND there were 8 hens and a
rooster in there with a prowling snake and other predators) to a small
dog crate and put the crate inside the chicken tractor.  The  5x7
chicken tractor has plastic over the sides, so hopefully this will
provide Mom and Babies with a bit extra heat and protection from the
elements and from predators.  The chicken tractor is inside of my garden
fence, too.
How long will she sit with them/on them to keep them warm before she
starts venturing out with them?
When will it be safe to allow her and her brood to roam with the other
chickens?
I have two groups of chickens, the coop group(8 mature layers and a
rooster) and a kennel group (25 8 week old pullets)  Since the new coop
and moat isn't finished yet, right now I think the safest place for the
chicks in inside the chicken tractor.  However, when I do reintroduce
her, where is the safest place for her to be-with the 25 pullets or with
the mature hens and rooster?
Btw, my rooster is a large turken, and I have only one turken hen, but 4
of the new chicks are naked necks. :)  I love them!

Bev
--
erthnsky AT bellsouth.net  BevanRon of EarthNSky Farm      NW Georgia USDA Zone 7
34.498N 85.076W