Are the chicks comfortable?

[TheBirdBabe]

That makes sense, sounds like momma isn't to concerned then. You've got a good system it seems.
I wouldn't worry about the chill, mom does a fantastic job at keeping them warm. Eating and drinking is a concern though. Nice work!

You know... I JUST got to thinking.. I have 2 girls on nests. So I went to see if it was the original mama sitting on the fake eggs. It was!
So I took HER babies to her! I took the fake eggs, put them in her nesting box & she looked at them like, "What is this magic?!" lol
Maybe she will get up & go out with them. I feel like she's been in those boxes FOREVER! I will keep an eye on them though.

 

[Weeg]

You know... I JUST got to thinking.. I have 2 girls on nests. So I went to see if it was the original mama sitting on the fake eggs. It was!
So I took HER babies to her! I took the fake eggs, put them in her nesting box & she looked at them like, "What is this magic?!" lol
Maybe she will get up & go out with them. I feel like she's been in those boxes FOREVER! I will keep an eye on them though.

Thats a great idea! Nice thinking! Hopefully momma does a good job being a momma, congrats to you both!

 

[TheBirdBabe]

Update on the dysfunctional family...

Mama still wants to sit on eggs along with her babies. I tried removing the fake eggs from the coop, but she still goes searching for them & then abandons the babies. So I think I might have worked out a system.. let me know your thoughts. Will a food/water dish INSIDE the nesting box (during the day ONLY) work for now? Will she still teach the babies to eat this way?