Baby chicks

[heather454ss]

Hi I am new to all this. I got my chickens about 6 months ago mostly for pest control since we live on property. My husband made them a beautiful chicken coop and i have grown to love them.

My little hen not sure of her breed is broody and sitting on about 10 eggs. she hasn't left the nesting box in 3 or 4 days now. I just need all the advice i can get to get ready for baby chicks. I have a total of 4 hens and 2 roosters. Should i move her and the eggs into her own little area? Should I be worried about the other hens killing the baby chicks when they hatch? Any advice on this subject would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks Heather from Arizona

 

[victor1800]

I dont think chickens kill their young. I think you should wait and see what happens .................. maybe it will be good, a learning experience!

 

[BigDaddy'sGurl]

First off,

Second, I would move the girl to a dog crate or something similar just to be safe. Also, 4 hens to 2 roosters is not a really great ratio. The desireable ratio to keep your hens healthy happy and laying is 10 or 12 hens to 1 rooster. Otherwise your roosters may fight and will eventually make your hens bare backed from overmating and stress.

Good luck with your broody and I hope all her little ones hatch! I've always read that mother hens make it pretty clear early on that the other chickens need to stay away from their babies and she will probably protect them very well, but I believe it's better to be safe than sorry...

 

[Judy]

All you ever wanted to know about broodies:

http://www.themodernhomestead.us/article/Broody-Hens-1.html

I have raised them in with the flock and I have separated them. My mamas have always been protective, except one. Baby chicks should not eat layer as it can do serious harm to their organs, so you have to deal with that if you mix them.