Angry Mama!

[Chickarama1]

Dear all,

Advice please!

I have a hen with two three week old chicks in a small run and chick house. The hen is desperate to get out and free range but I really don't want to let her chicks go with her because we have lots of predators here (birds of prey and a very large domestic cat from next door).

I have got another group of three ducklings and one chick that are a little younger and still under a heat lamp so I could put the two chicks in with them and permanently separate them from the mum.
Or I could let the mum out and hope she will want to go back in with the chicks at bedtime??
What do you all think? Many thanks

 

[Shadrach]

Dear all,

Advice please!

I have a hen with two three week old chicks in a small run and chick house. The hen is desperate to get out and free range but I really don't want to let her chicks go with her because we have lots of predators here (birds of prey and a very large domestic cat from next door).

I have got another group of three ducklings and one chick that are a little younger and still under a heat lamp so I could put the two chicks in with them and permanently separate them from the mum.
Or I could let the mum out and hope she will want to go back in with the chicks at bedtime??
What do you all think? Many thanks

I would not separate the chicks from their mother under any circumstances I can think of.
If you intend to let them free range at some later point then the quicker they start, the faster they'll learn.
Mums with chicks here are out free ranging on day two or three.
One can never say a predator won't strike, but a mother with chicks isn't an easy option.

 

[Chickarama1]

I would not separate the chicks from their mother under any circumstances I can think of.
If you intend to let them free range at some later point then the quicker they start, the faster they'll learn.
Mums with chicks here are out free ranging on day two or three.
One can never say a predator won't strike, but a mother with chicks isn't an easy option.

Many thanks..