Advice on mama hen

[ImNotYogi]

A legbar of mine just hatched out 4 chicks (on 4th of July no less). I took them away from her because she killed the last chicks she hatched out. When I checked them tonight she was on the floor of the coop with 2 of the chicks and the other 2 were still in the nesting box. One was still wet while the other 3 weren't. This does not make me confident in her mothering abilities. My plan is to just raise the chicks in the brooder until they're old enough to go outside the slowly introduce them to the flock. Good idea or should I give her another chance and put them under her tonight or tomorrow night?

 

[Hope Hughes]

Each chicken and each hatch is different. I had a bannie hatch out 11 chicks and killed one and tried to kill others I took them from her and hand raised them... But with that said the same hen hatched out 4 about 2 months ago and she has done amazing raising these this time. You could try and see how she does. When my hen hatched her chicks out this round I put them in a big dog box with feed and water and let her stay with her chicks for about 4 days... and slowly let her and her babies out to free range with the rest and she did amazing.

 

[centrarchid]

Tonight. Make so she does not have to move far to feed and water chicks in AM. Hopefully weak chicks will strengthen by morning. Keeping chicks separate for an additional night will compromise imprinting causing additional issues.

 

[ImNotYogi]

Okay, she's still on the floor of the coop. How should I do that? I just dont want to find four dead chicks

 

[centrarchid]

I would put chicks under her and turn lights off.

 

[ImNotYogi]

I put them back about 30-40 minutes ago. All are underneath her. Was clucking when I first brought them back (before placing them). She was a bit puffed up when I checked on them. Combination of me and fireworks isn't helping her. Just hoping she's better this time around.

 

[centrarchid]

Patience.

How did things progress previously?

 

[ImNotYogi]

Both legbars went broody side by side. I walked into the coop with a dead chick on the floor. I figured it must have fallen/jumped out and hit its head. No obvious injury. Then maybe a few hours later I found the other 2 dead in the box with the mom. Actually, I can't remember if it was this hen with the chicks or not. I just said if either ever went broody and I let the eggs hatch then I'd take them away.
I'm a natural worry wart. My barnevelder was a great mom and I still worried that she'd just decide to abandon.

 

[centrarchid]

Relax and check on everything tomorrow morning before lights on / sun up. Report then.

 

[centrarchid]

Sun must be coming up on your end as sky blueing here in Missouri.