4weeks old and want to let them go

[AmericanMom]

I'm going to leave them with mommy hen and let her raise them. So they should be able to follow her up the ramp from day one?

Mine did.... Mind you, don't be alarmed if she stays in the coop for a few days with them... I have had two broodies and they were completely different, one kept them in the enclosure for almost a week before taking them outside, and even then it was just outside the door, she was devoted for 7 full weeks.

The other broody wanted to leave the 3 week old chicks to their own pretty early, she would get up on the highest nest (5 feet off the ground) they found their way up to her until she kicked them out. It was her first hatch, I'll let her do it one more time and see if she cant be a bit more devoted.

 

[Gingersnap722]

Mine did.... Mind you, don't be alarmed if she stays in the coop for a few days with them... I have had two broodies and they were completely different, one kept them in the enclosure for almost a week before taking them outside, and even then it was just outside the door, she was devoted for 7 full weeks.

The other broody wanted to leave the 3 week old chicks to their own pretty early, she would get up on the highest nest (5 feet off the ground) they found their way up to her until she kicked them out. It was her first hatch, I'll let her do it one more time and see if she cant be a bit more devoted.

Thanks so much. I have 11 other hens that are in the coop at night with my broody. Will they be ok with the babies?

 

[Gingersnap722]

Thank you Ridge!! I appreciate all of the feedback. It sounds like my coop should be fine. The nest box might be a little tight, so we may have to adjust that, which wouldn't be a big problem. I plan on being out there every night when they go back into the coop. I'll be so excited, I'll be out there constantly, lol!!

One more question for everyone, thanks for your patience with me. Do we need to keep mom and babies in an enclosed run for a certain amount of time? Or will mom protect the babies while they free range?

 

[Oakdale Farm]

Having Momma Hen raise the chicks is definitely the right choice here at our farm. I'll bet you'll find it is the right choice for you, too. They just 'know how' to do it.

As with nearly all animals, Momma will undergo a personality change. She will become fiercely protective of her brood!!! Don't worry about other things getting at her chicks once she goes into Momma gear. Our official shop/farm Tom Cat won't go near ours. Momma has kicked his butt really good for him - and handed his fanny back to him on a platter - so he just enjoys watching them from afar. It is really really fun to watch a hen raise the chicks. It will make watching the Nutcracker that much more fun for you next Christmas. One of the dances is patterned off a hen with chicks - and you'll soon know why.

Ours all sleep/eat/forage together with the other hens. Everybody understands the deal. One of our new hens tried to help once, and found out that wasn't acceptable behavior. In the mornings, sometimes the chicks will ride down the ramp on Momma's back. Why walk when you can ride?

Have fun!

 

[AmericanMom]

Having Momma Hen raise the chicks is definitely the right choice here at our farm. I'll bet you'll find it is the right choice for you, too. They just 'know how' to do it.

As with nearly all animals, Momma will undergo a personality change. She will become fiercely protective of her brood!!! Don't worry about other things getting at her chicks once she goes into Momma gear. Our official shop/farm Tom Cat won't go near ours. Momma has kicked his butt really good for him - and handed his fanny back to him on a platter - so he just enjoys watching them from afar. It is really really fun to watch a hen raise the chicks. It will make watching the Nutcracker that much more fun for you next Christmas. One of the dances is patterned off a hen with chicks - and you'll soon know why.

Ours all sleep/eat/forage together with the other hens. Everybody understands the deal. One of our new hens tried to help once, and found out that wasn't acceptable behavior. In the mornings, sometimes the chicks will ride down the ramp on Momma's back. Why walk when you can ride?

Have fun!

X2.... A broody worth her weight will protect her chicks. I never worry about the other hens, they stay clear. The rooster (If he is a good one) will also work to protect the babies.

 

[AmericanMom]

Thank you Ridge!! I appreciate all of the feedback. It sounds like my coop should be fine. The nest box might be a little tight, so we may have to adjust that, which wouldn't be a big problem. I plan on being out there every night when they go back into the coop. I'll be so excited, I'll be out there constantly, lol!!

One more question for everyone, thanks for your patience with me. Do we need to keep mom and babies in an enclosed run for a certain amount of time? Or will mom protect the babies while they free range?

Ridge has explained far better than I.... Momma and babies should be ok from day one... Keep us informed... Watching a hen raise chicks is so fun, I usually just like to stand out there and watch.

 

[Ridgerunner]

There are a lot of different shows available on Chick TV, but broody with chicks tops my ratings.

 

[Gingersnap722]

Sounds like we're all set! I can't wait! Hubby said to me this morning, I just bought you a $200 incubator and now you're using the broody hen, lol! I blame it on the cute pics I see of baby chicks peeking from beneath mom. I'm sooo looking forward to that. I'm getting the fertile eggs this afternoon.

 

[Gingersnap722]

Ok, the eggs are in with my broody girl. I watched and she gathered them all under her. I put extra, extra shavings in because she kept breaking some of the other eggs (the unfertilized ones that the other hens kept putting in there). We added extra nesting boxes so I'm hoping the other hens won't bother her. I sure hope she doesn't break these. If she does, we'll have to break her broodiness and the next time she goes broody have a different plan.

 

[JustAileen]

I'm on pins and needles to find out how things are going!!!