Baby Chicks/Laying Hen

[jellodirt]

I currently have 1 adult laying hen and am getting 50 chicks this Friday. For brooders I'm using two 100 gallon watering tubs. My question is do I need to worry about my hen going into the brooders and taking their food or killing them?

 

[howfunkyisurchicken]

Yes, that's a valid concern. I'd cover the top with some chicken wire or hardware clothe.

 

[jellodirt]

I moved 28 chicks (6 weeks old) into the coop and it isn't going very well. I got a corner boarded/fenced off but the hen can still get in once in a while. She guards the food and water pecking at the chicks whenever they get close to her. If I can't keep her out of there I think I'm going to have to butcher her.

 

[Grog]

Catch her and clip her wing feathers. To clip just cut all of the feathers at the line on her wing. The line is a row of smaller feathers above the larger flights. After that she wont even be able to hop on a chair

 

[jellodirt]

I clipped her feathers and today was the first day she wasn't in with them when I check on them this morning. Thanks