Broody Hen Chicks just hatching, Now what do I do?? Food? Water?

[kimmom]

2 of our 7 have hatched so far starting this morning, today is Day 22.. Mama is doing a good job sitting on them when we lift her the one older chick tries to come out from under her. I have a question, do I need to give them water? When do they start eating and drinking? I have chick starter and a smaller waterer available beside the nesting box. They are in a small fenced area (2 feet by a foot and a half) within the coop in a nesting box with Mama on top. She WON'T get off unless we take her off to poop , eat or drink. Will she start getting off eventually? It is about 4 inches tall on the front sitting on the ground so not sure how the chicks could get in and out to the food etc. I could build a little ramp for them. Sorry so many questions, this is all so new to me and I am REALLY HOPING for a good experience (we have 4 young kids too).

 

[FF]

Well congratulations on the first hatch

! What I do is put chick starter 20% in a baby chick feeder so mama and the babies can get to it. Then I put a chick waterer on the ground next to the box. I always have water for her but what is so special about this one is I put 2 tsp. per gallon of sugar in it give the babies and mama so extra juice. As far as them getting out, mama is the only one to know. She might get up and leave or she might stay on another week. But she will take care of them so don't worry. A far as the ladder, just put them a little ramp or something like that and they will be happy. Good Luck and I hope this helps! And congratulations!

 

[kimmom]

Thanks for the reply! I was thinking of screwing the front off the nest box then the chicks can just walk out when they are ready. They are in a fenced area where they will be safe (hopefully). This SO SO exciting!! What day do they start eating/drinking usually? I don't have a heat lamp on but if one gets out and gets cold Mama will get it back under right?

 

[Southernbelle]

They should be fine for a few days without food/water. They survive off the yolk for a few days - that's how hatcheries are able to mail chicks in the first couple of days. I'd go ahead and put down a chick waterer and chick starter, but don't be surprised (or panicked) if you don't see the chicks coming out from under their mama to eat.

Mama will get off the nest when she feels all the eggs are going to hatch. She will introduce them to the food and water, so there is no need to dip their beaks in the food or water, they'll copy their mother.

I wouldn't put sugar water out for them. It definately contributes to pasty butt. It's generally only used for stressed chicks, like ones that were shipped from a hatchery. I just put regualar water out.

Definately rig up a ramp or something. Mama hens do not retrieve chicks that have strayed from the nest. When the lost baby calls out to her, she'll answer him so he can find her, but she will not get up and find him. She will not sacrifice the rest of the chicks or unhatched eggs to retrieve the lost one. Once I had a baby fall out and in trying to get back with Mama, he ran around the side of the nest box and couldn't find a way back in, so he died overnight. Now, as soon as the Mama is done with the hatch, I take the nest box away (but still leave her in the isolated pen) so the babies can find Mama easily.

Congratulations!

 

[cmom]

I put out a water and feed (chick starter 20%) asap. I don't think the higher protine is bad for momma as she won't start laying again for awhile. They usually check it out and peck at it pretty quickly.