broody hen with chicks..... input/ advice needed please

[jadasmommy7]

I also keep my broody hen locked up as well in a dog kennel one of the big ones not cages. They eat the medicated chick food and then we let them in with the other chickens and sometimes pick at the layer and game bird feed. I have two dutch hens sitting on eggs, but I live in the middle of florida. Couple days ago it froze the water, the hens lost some of their chicks and they were in a nesting box with hay and it was some what warm where they were. I was suprised when I went out there and seen a couple dead chicks.

 

[bloom chicks]

Quote:
Thank you! So the chick feed won't hurt my layers? I put out the shells out for them!

No it won´t hurt your layers! the only difference in most starters and layers is the amount of calcium. but if you feed MEDICATED starter to your layers; it contains amprolium(drug that protects the babies from coccidiosis) there is a possibility that your eggs will contain residues of that drug. so you´ll have to decide if you want to eat those eggs. amprolium is not dangerous unless you are allergic. if you don´t want to eat it; there is still unmedicated starter.

I give them organic soy free feed. It is not medicated.

 

[bloom chicks]

Quote:
I too have them in a large kennel in the coop! I let them out when I am home. They are 1 week old now. Thank you for sharing! I will try your method! My roosters are also very protective of the babies! I am blessed that I have a great flock. Thank you so much for sharing!

 

[Chickmate]

Quote:
I too have them in a large kennel in the coop! I let them out when I am home. They are 1 week old now. Thank you for sharing! I will try your method! My roosters are also very protective of the babies! I am blessed that I have a great flock. Thank you so much for sharing!

I so hope that my roosters and the other hens are not aggressive to the chicks.

It would be nice if they were protective of them, too. I'll keep them in the dog crate with Mama until they are a few weeks old, then try letting them out with much supervision. I think I'll make an enclosure in the corner of the coop were the chicks can run to but the big chickens can't get into, just in case.

 

[glucke]

Quote:
No it won´t hurt your layers! the only difference in most starters and layers is the amount of calcium. but if you feed MEDICATED starter to your layers; it contains amprolium(drug that protects the babies from coccidiosis) there is a possibility that your eggs will contain residues of that drug. so you´ll have to decide if you want to eat those eggs. amprolium is not dangerous unless you are allergic. if you don´t want to eat it; there is still unmedicated starter.

I give them organic soy free feed. It is not medicated.

Nice! I also prefere organic it makes such a difference in taste

 

[bloom chicks]

Quote:
I am sorry for your loss!

 

[HetaChick]

Aww I'm sorry to hear about your loss! I know if i did not keep my hen and babies in a cage indoors right now I'd probably lose some too… my hen is not umm.. very experienced…

They can be so fragile… any way good luck with the rest of your little babies

 

[bloom chicks]

Here is the black curtain that I put up!

and inside the coop

 

[kingsfarm]

I was given a broody with eight eggs, she is down to 2 eggs, has pushed the others out (knowing they are not right I suppose) we gave her a little pen seperate from the new flock she will integrate to - it has a covered nest box area and a little 4'x4' play area (aprox. may be bigger) anyway plenty room for mama and chicks.....I will keep her in with the chicks feeding all chick unmedicated starter....the flock will see her as one of their own because she has been sitting on the eggs in plain sight I really don't know when day 21 is but I have had her since the 1st of Jan.....was so happy she continued to set after the move......she gets off the nest to feed - look around - stretch her legs (ha) then goes back to the 2 eggs.....looking forward to the experience of mama with chicks.....the only other time this occured - a hawk killed mama (she must have sacrificed herself for chicks, raised the chicks in a brooder after..... sorry so long winded ....

Bloomchicks what a great idea for your door....such a neat set up....would it help to put chicken wire just high enough that the chicks can't go out - until they are ready to do so, the hens will hop over the the little "gate" in the door way...there looks to be so much room....great coop lucky chickens

 

[bloom chicks]

Quote:
I had put up a baby gate to keep the babies in but the mama would jump out and the babies would scream! I'm not worried about keeping the babies in I was worried about keeping the hawk out of the coop.