Help quick please

I have baby chicks coming. I only have one chicken left and she is a broody silkie. I want to attempt to put chicks with her but am confused as to what this should look like. I know you put them in a night but if they are in the nesting box with the adult how do they eat and drink? Do you put food in the nesting box? Put a new box on the ground? Please help with any information as soon as possible. Also what do I look for if she is not caring for babies. Sorry if these are stupid questions but I really need help in building my small flock (getting 4 babies)

Hi! I haven't done this but there are several threads dealing with this topic. I would do a "search in this thread" under "Raising chicks" or " Broody Hens " topic.
Hope this helps!

Thank you. I am just having trouble visualizing the nesting area. As the box is off the ground how do the chicks get in and out or do you put a new box on the ground. I want to be successful with my last attempt at chicken raising.

1) I would situate the broody hen (move her & nest at night) into a separate brooding cage - set her up with food & water at easy access.
2) when your chicks arrive, slip them under her and into the nest - again at night.
3) give them a little time to settle - but within a day she'll move with them off nest to lead them to food & water.

New Mamas like the security of their own space with the new chicks - that's why best to separate her and allow undisturbed access to food & water.

Nothing cuter than seeing a new peep taking a ride on Mama's back!

eburgsusan said:

Thank you. I am just having trouble visualizing the nesting area. As the box is off the ground how do the chicks get in and out or do you put a new box on the ground. I want to be successful with my last attempt at chicken raising.

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Perhaps a ramp to the box would help the chicks- Do you have a photo that would help? If the box is in a safe area - you could put it on the floor of your coop etc. - Provide some more info - and who knows perhaps someone will read it that did the exact thing.

I have put incubated chicks under a broody - and the location of the nesting box was on the ground - it will be very important that the location is safe from predators.

Welcome to the BYC forum!!!

I would recommend going and reading the "raising baby chicks" section under the Raising backyard Chickens topic. I am not experienced in tucking them under a broody. Most posters all say to do it at night, to put fake eggs under your broody first, and to use young chicks, then to keep a close eye on her.
We have successfully raised several sets of chicks using a light, aquarium, shavings, et. al. Depending on the size and number of chicks we sometimes had to change the bedding every other day to once a week. So for example 3 chicks in a ten gallon aquarium are less work than 8 chicks in a 10 gallon! And 10 chicks do outgrow that size pretty quickly. Water was usually change either 1x a day to 2x a day depending,again, on how many we had. The waterer is raised to a bit lower than head level using a brick to keep the water cleaner. Same with the food. We do handle ours from the start making sure to wash our hands *BEFORE* and *After* handling. It makes a difference later as they are more friendly, willing to be handled, and will come to you. I put a thermometer in the pen on the floor to keep an eye on the temperature.
Does that help?

Of coarse I just posted a question about the same thing. I guess I am going to bring my hens and chicks in the garage to keep them away from the roosters and other hens and close to the food

My nesting boxes are on the ground for this very reason. You can simply move her to the ground, or set up a ramp or ladder at the current box. Depending on how high the current box is, momma may move them to the ground on her own. Worst case, you'll have to go out there each night for a week or so at dusk and tuck the chicks into the higher box with momma until they can manage on their own.

here is the picture (see my silkies head?). It is a totally safe environment as she is the only chicken I have. The nesting box is about 12 -16 inches off the ground. I could build a ramp pretty easily. Thanks for any help.

eburgsusan said:

here is the picture (see my silkies head?). It is a totally safe environment as she is the only chicken I have. The nesting box is about 12 -16 inches off the ground. I could build a ramp pretty easily. Thanks for any help.

Click to expand...

Nice coop.

While the chicks are tiny- they could tumble out of the nest. You could possibly put a barrier up at the front of the nesting box for the first couple of days (would your hen still be able to get out and get feed water? - and then put in a little ramp -- they get agile very fast, but I have seen day olds fall into cracks and crevices...so see if you can protect them from their own adventures would be my approach. Good luck