Broody attacking new chicks...HELP

[Jessie66]

Well, your advice is helping me calm down... Thanks. She and the chicks and eggs are in a small dog kennel. I kept her closed in there and let her out a few times a day to eat/poop. We are building a pen around her now, (we weren't expecting them til Wed, so I thought I still had some time) then will open the door of the kennel for the chicks to come and go (out into a 4 by 2 foot pen inside). No hammering, just a few screws. I wonder how many have hatched now? I guess I just wait? that's so hard...

 

[Jessie66]

Quote:
She is not making any sounds to the chicks, she seems completely oblivious to them. They are all under her. They do not come out at all. I think if they do come out from under her she will attack them again. I finished off the pen around her kennel and opened the door to her kennel, but so far no one has come out. I'm so happy yet freaked out. I may have to sleep in the coop tonight. Thank Goodness for BYC! Gives me a place to worry and get advice!

 

[Happy Chooks]

Silkies are so prone to brood-i-ness, I would be completely shocked if she hurt the babies. I would certainly keep an eye on her, but she may still be trying to hatch the remaining eggs. Chicks can survive 2 days without food with absorbing the yolk sac. I don't think you have a reason to worry yet.

If they are staying under her, that's a good sign too.

 

[Jessie66]

I quietly watched her today for quite a bit. She didn't leave her kennel, and neither did her chicks. A chick would start peeping and come in front of the hen. The hen started quietly making noises, but then pecked at the chick, not as hard this time, but once actually picked up the little fella by the fluff and moved him over a bit

I put some food in there and mama ate some, the chicks have not eaten or drank yet though (been about 30 hours since the first hatched) They have been hiding under mom mostly.

I was thinking of taking the hen out for a few minutes tomorrow to do a head count of chicks and see if the chicks will eat/drink some. I think I will put Millie (mama) outside while I do this so she doesn't freak out again. The woman who sold me the eggs said they were due around the 15th, but that a few may hatch early. So I may have to wait til Wed for more to hatch. Millie is so easy going, even in her broody state, never growled or puffed up at me or anything, that is why I'm so concerned. I'm feeling a bit better now though.

 

[Happy Chooks]

I wouldn't bother her. I'd leave her be. If you bother her, she may get stressed, especially if more eggs are hatching.

 

[Jessie66]

Ok...you're probably right. Will the chicks eventually venture away from mom and get some food? My broody does not get off her nest at all (I've always taken her off and put her in front of food and water for a break) Could the chicks starve? they start peeping really loud and she kind of pecks at them til they crawl back under her...I just want to help, but like you said...don't want to upset mama. Thanks for the advice

I'll let you know how it goes tomorrow.

 

[Happy Chooks]

How long ago did the 2 hatch? Were all the eggs set under her at the same time? If it's been a couple days and no more chicks are hatching, I'd candle the remaining eggs under her to see if they are viable. It should be all dark inside the egg.

 

[Jessie66]

I got these fertile eggs (8) from a lady who put too many under her hen (she gave me half of her clutch). They had been under her broody for about 10 days already when I got them. She said they were due around the 15th, but there may be a few that arrive a few days early (probably the 2 that hatched on Sat afternoon and Sun morn). So I think the remaining 6 will come around Wed.

I was out there this morning and could not hear any peeping (they were peeping alot yesterday), I even made some noise in case they were sleeping under mom. I drove the kids to school, then went back to the coop and listened for a while. Then started worrying that they had died

I know I'm paranoid. So I took Millie (mama)out and put her on the floor to eat and poop. I was so relieved to see the 2 fluffy little chicks and 6 eggs.

I got them to take a drink and they tried to eat some chick feed. Don't think they got any though. After a few minutes, I put Millie back on her eggs. when she was settled, I slipped the chicks in from behind. She did not fuss at all.

I think she freaked the first time because she didn't understand that the chick was hers, I hope she will eventually get it. Silkies are wonderful, but I think they are a bit slow on the uptake sometimes

 

[Happy Chooks]

When did the 2 hatch?

 

[Jessie66]

The 2 chicks hatched Sat afternoon and Sunday morning. They are frizzle banty chicks. I snuck them away from her again around noon (pulled the top half of the small kennel forward and reached in behind and under Millie and took out the chicks. Millie did not seem to mind. The chicks ate a bit and drank a bit. Then I snuck them back under her. They don't seem to come out on their own though (kennel door is open and food and water are front and center. And Millie never leaves her nest unless I move her. I must say they are very cute. Lots of feathers on the feet.