Are new chicks better off with mom?

[Msbear]

Yeah that's why it is so important for ordered chicks to be on medicated feed because they eat their own poo cause mom isn't there to show them

All anmals are better off with momma except for extrem circumstances...too many chickens confined...etc.

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:
Nature also intended for animals to be running loose, and not penned, but if I sudjested not putting them in a coop and protecting them and letting NATURE take its course, the chicks and thier mother would quickly become food for an owl/fox, whatever happens to be in the area then you would claim that i was Irresponsible for letting whatever NATURE intended to happen to happen. Survival of the fittest does not work in reality especially with demesticated animals so that

WHAT NATURE INTENDED

sorta has to be thrown out the window, and the choice of the owner takes over. Thus the owner wants them in the brooder, so in the brooder they go.​

 

[beautifulbirds]

Marlinchaser, with all due respect, I think you should stick to fish

.

I don't know what sort of hens you have but if you SOCIALISE them, talk to them when you feed them etc., AND HANDLE MUM during the sitting period, then there is a fairly good chance she will TRUST YOU. Otherwise you're toast. After all, would you hand your new baby to a TOTAL STRANGER?

Think about it. Nature is all set up for MOTHERS TO RAISE THEIR BABIES or it wouldn't happen. What you are suggesting is (actually) asking us to make a NONSENSE out of nature, it makes no sense at all. And think of the work if you use a brooder.

Currently I have one rescue chick in the brooder box and fourteen under their various mums with a further12 eggs in the process of hetching out plus another two hens who have just gone into lay. Who do you think has a BETTER CHANCE of hatching and looking after, not to mention rearing, that many chickens - me or the hen?

As I said, no offence intended, but come on...

 

[Msbear]

We do "own" these animals so to each master their own. I prefer to have a more natural relationship with my chicken friends. They help feed me and I kiss them goodnight and don't rob them of their babies at birth

edited to say I think they really love their coop. I let them out and they are either on my porch staring in the glass at me or they are in their coop. May not be as "natural" as chckens were in...hmm well I think that's pretty much how chickens have been since they met humans and they were domesticated. Should I be dragging my knuckles with a leaf taped to my butt? That would be getting back to nature....I think a happy medium is best.

 

[priszilla]

Maybe-but sometimes a broody doesn't do her job.I lost a new serama chick.The mom sat great-but ignored her chick.It died on day 1.I noticed it cheeping,checked on it-noticed she had another pipping so I let her keep it.I don't even think the one pipping made it out.I'll check in the morning.She's a first time broody for me.I may not let her set again if I can help it.

 

[Msbear]

some aren't good mothers because people have bred that out of them to make prettier, more productive varieties. I have cochins which are very well known for their ability at being a great mom. If you need a broody to do the job, look into getting one.

 

[beautifulbirds]

I have difficulty with the word OWN. Don't they own themselves and are we not just caretakers and in exchange for food and keep we receive their bounty (rent maybe) in the form of an egg a day?

Just a thought... :|

 

[Msbear]

I was making a point

see the "quotes"

 

[Marlinchaser]

Quote:
Mothers can be NATURALLY stupid, have you ever dealt with guineas, first thing they will do is take thier young out through the wet grass KILLING most babies so if I let nature run its course I have no chicks. I let my chicken hens hatch out the guinea keets, so am I wrong to take away the guinea eggs and let a Better mom hatch them out?? HMMMM maybe next year I will try the natural method, and get 2 or 3 keets out of 20+eggs that the guinea sits on, that is if she remembers to return to the nests.

Maybe your right I should stick with fish, one day I may have a chicken or two, if I keep reading here do you think I could learn a thing or two?? I guess I will have to keep reading and hope something sinks in.

Have you ever had a hen peck the babies to death? Yes they do that at times. Also if you have more than one broody hen they will peck the others babies, so unless you have plenty of seperate spaces for each hen and babies it is easier to take them away and put the hens back in with the main flock(I think that is what most call it I usually just refer to mine as the main SCHOOL).

 

[silkiechicken]

Some make good moms, some make bad moms. I've had it both ways and I've left some for them to raise and taken others away. Mother hen will get over it and often it can save a chick if set up and conditons are not ideal for hen to be a mom or chick to survive the weather. I mean as a society we take away human children from parents too, albet for different reasons. Besides, nature never bred the domestic chicken, humans did. Let's not stab at each other now.