Broody Hen... what if she has peeps??

[todtrac]

Question: I have a broody silkie hen sitting right now, and if successful should hatch out peeps next week. We live in PA, and it still very cold, especially at night...so.. if she hatches out the peeps, do I need to take them from her and put them in a brooder or let them stay with the mother hen... anybody please help.. by the way, I currently have seven chicks in the brooder we hatched out of the incubator last week.

 

[donrae]

Oh, don't take them from her! Momma hens can take care of babies even in the dead of winter. Leave them with her, it's so great to see a momma taking care of her babies.

 

[todtrac]

Do I need to put crumbles out ?

I really appreciate your help

 

[catterbug]

I am also wondering how you go about feeding mother hen and babies since I thought their needs were different. Do you have to remove the new family away from the other hens since they eat laying feed?

 

[lady feathers]

I would leave them with momma, good questions about the feed, can't help you there!