Chick talk: The hen with chicks
The hen (the one with chicks) has successfully hatched the eggs and is now proudly walking around with her brood. Although she will take good care of her chicks herself, it is important to keep an eye on a few things to ensure the chicks grow up healthy and well.
Chicken talk
Housing
15 July '25 • 2 min reading time
Housing and Feeding
It is advisable to keep the hen and chicks separate from the other chickens, as they can sometimes be aggressive towards the chicks and, moreover, they require different feed. Chicks have a higher protein requirement than adult chickens and therefore need special chick or starter feed, which can be offered in meal, crumble, or pellet form. The hen can also eat from this, as she has had a tough time and could use some extra protein and vitamins. We provide this feed in unlimited amounts in a container that the chicks can easily access.
Safety and Integration
Housing separately in a simple box in a safe, dry, draft-free place with some soft bedding, such as hemp fiber or flax, is sufficient. Especially as the chicks grow larger, an adjoining outdoor run, for example fenced with fine mesh or mesh panels, is desirable. This can be either indoors or outdoors. For the development of resistance and hardiness, outdoor conditions with varying temperatures are preferred. However, ensure some shelter in the form of plants or a small roof so that the hen and the chicks can choose to sit in the sun or in the shade. Since small chicks can quickly become hypothermic, it should be prevented that they get caught in the rain.
Predator Protection
It is also important that the run is 'predator-proof' so that foxes, martens, cats, or birds of prey have no chance. With fine mesh wire that is also buried, the chicks are well protected. It is convenient that the chicks themselves cannot escape from such a pen. When it is possible to place the small run or, for example, a dog crate (without a bottom) in the run of the other chickens, then reintegrating the hen and her chicks with the other chickens becomes much easier. When the chicks are about 6 weeks old, they can join the hen with the other chickens. Keep a close eye on this process as not all chickens are happy with these newcomers. To give the chicks access to chick feed while preventing the adult chickens from getting it, we can place the feeder behind a kind of crawl-through gate, this is called creep feeding. If a crate has been used to place the hen with chicks among the other chickens, it can now serve as a chick feeding area.
Independence of the Chicks
The chicks are now increasingly going out on their own and only seeking their mother for warmth and protection. The hen will also gradually take more distance from her chicks to eventually 'wean' them around 12 weeks old. By now, the sexual differences in the chicks will be clear, and they can possibly move to a new 'home'.
Conclusion
Text and photo: July 2025, Hans Krudde
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