1 gone. Don’t know how many more will go.

[Dusti Tice]

I need some help!! Today I go to feed the animals as per usual and my little bantam hen that had 9 baby chicks is just gone. The babies are still here, but she is gone. Do y’all have any clue what happened???? We are moving in a couple weeks and will have the most secure coop with a huge run so we will not have to worry about this much longer.

 

[StarChicken]

I need some help!! Today I go to feed the animals as per usual and my little bantam hen that had 9 baby chicks is just gone. The babies are still here, but she is gone. Do y’all have any clue what happened???? We are moving in a couple weeks and will have the most secure coop with a huge run so we will not have to worry about this much longer.

If the coop isn't secure, most likely a raccoon or 'possum got her.

Depending on their age, you may want to put the chicks into a brooder so you can control their temperature until they're about six weeks old.

 

[FlocksOfFluff]

If she has chicks, she most likely would not have wandered far in her own. A predator probably got her. What are your plans for her chicks? Is there another hen that might be able to take them in, or are you going to put them in a brooder?

 

[Dusti Tice]

If she has chicks, she most likely would not have wandered far in her own. A predator probably got her. What are your plans for her chicks? Is there another hen that might be able to take them in, or are you going to put them in a brooder?

I put them in the chicken tractor with the others.. I just hope my girl comes back!!

 

[Eggcessive]

I agree with others, a broddy would not leave her chicks. How old are the chicks? They need a heat source until they are about 6 weeks old and fully feathered. Putting chicks in a tractor with other chickens could be dangerous, and they could be pecked or attacked.

 

[JDChickChat]

I put them in the chicken tractor with the others.. I just hope my girl comes back!!

I'm so sorry about your hen.

Side note, depending on how old the chicks are, simply placing them in a chicken tractor with the other chickens may not be enough supplemental heat as they cannot regulate their own. Without mama hen, they are at risk.

Hoping you find your girl soon!!

 

[Dusti Tice]

I agree with others, a broddy would not leave her chicks. How old are the chicks? They need a heat source until they are about 6 weeks old and fully feathered. Putting chicks in a tractor with other chickens could be dangerous, and they could be pecked or attacked.

The chicks are about 2 weeks. They are the same age as the ones in the tractor. I monitored them and all seemed to be fine. I even checked on them and they are all perfectly happy eating grass

 

[Dusti Tice]

I'm so sorry about your hen.

Side note, depending on how old the chicks are, simply placing them in a chicken tractor with the other chickens may not be enough supplemental heat as they cannot regulate their own. Without mama hen, they are at risk.

Hoping you find your girl soon!!

Thank you, I’ll go see if I can hook up a heat lamp!

 

[Eggcessive]

At 2 weeks old about 80 degrees is the temperature they should be in until they are 3 weeks, when they should be put in 75, and decrease by 5 degrees each week. Daytime temps there might be warm enough, but what are the night time temps? Do they have plenty of shade and shaded water?

I actually once had a group of 2 week old chicks abandoned by their broody hen once in cool spring weather. They did survive by huddling together and getting into a nest box together at night. The broody has already taught them how to forage for food and water, so they all survived. I checked on them often, and they were fine.

 

[Dusti Tice]

At 2 weeks old about 80 degrees is the temperature they should be in until they are 3 weeks, when they should be put in 75, and decrease by 5 degrees each week. Daytime temps there might be warm enough, but what are the night time temps? Do they have plenty of shade and shaded water?

I actually once had a group of 2 week old chicks abandoned by their broody hen once in cool spring weather. They did survive by huddling together and getting into a nest box together at night. The broody has already taught them how to forage for food and water, so they all survived. I checked on them often, and they were fine.

They all seem to be doing good, but we had an issue and 4 were just missing?? Like they were like missing