I did "box" the babies down from the flying-loft (with mama growling behind me all the way!) I had made a small, movable rat-wire pen, with a large dog-crate for cover, and installed them in that, on the lawn. The other hens discovered them and lurked around, believing that the food in *there* had to be superior. Mama warned them off in no uncertain terms, from her side of the wire.
The next evening we had some severe thunderstorms--so I picked up the crate (with family inside for the night) and set it inside the coop overnight. Next morning, once the others had gone out, I opened the crate. Mama took FULL control of the coop--fortunately most of the others had already laid, because she wouldn't let anyone back in until afternoon! So it appears the chicks are safe. Today, I watched while 3 of the other hens crept respectfully back in along the wall to get to the nest-boxes today--Mama is quite formidable...
If there had still been the full complement of hens, I probably would have kept the chicks and mother in the separate pen, troublesome as it was. I guess the only thing I really have to worry about is the return of whatever predator struck last week--but I suspect whatever it was could have got into the little pen and dog crate if it really wanted to, anyway.
Fingers crossed...
Rhonda
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