Babies trapped in feathers

[MaritimeFlock]

We adopted eight little ones for our broody hen. The chicks are now about seven days old. Both mama and babies are generally doing great. Although, we have two scares. Earlier this week one got some of mamas feathers wrapped around his legs. We found her/him on their side. We were able to cut the feather away to free her/him. They had no injuries from the accident.

Then tonight check on them after popping out for groceries. Our hen had a baby stuck to her! She was dragging him/her around unknowingly! I got the baby free right away with some scissors. They managed to get her feathers wrapped around his neck and wing! It was such a scary experience because she was dragging the baby around. They baby it fine though thankfully.

Is there anything I can do to prevent this of happening? Mama is a silkie so her feathers are not regular feathers. I wonder if they are getting themselves wrapped around her feathers when climbing in and out feom underneath her. I just don’t want to lose any babies from an accident!

 

[CloneFly]

Perhaps a light trim of Mama's feathers would help ?

 

[MaritimeFlock]

Perhaps a light trim of Mama's feathers would help ?

That is what I am think of going tomorrow.

 

[MaritimeFlock]

That is what I am think of going tomorrow.

*doing tomorrow.

 

[Sussex19]

I have heard of silkies having this problem before, but don't really know what you could do about it.
A trim up does sound like a good idea.