Broody hen with imported fertilised eggs

[Bonnieboo]

Hi all,
I have a broody hen and I have put 4 fertile eggs under her as I just couldn't go through the agony of trying to break her.
This is my first time hatching eggs.
I feel very nervous and inexperienced and need advice.
Once the babies have hatched do I put out food and water for them in a separate area so that they won't eat mum's food?
The hen is currently shut in a section of the coop (approx. 2m x1m) that the other chooks can't access (I did this after I found Boss hen sitting on top of her laying an egg) with food, water, light and fresh air and she can see out.
Should I keep them all in there and if so, for how long?
Boss hen is aggressive so I worry she might hurt the chicks. The broody is only about 6 months old herself and was only just being tolerated by the aggressor before she became broody. Will she be able to protect them?
Any advice gratefully received.

 

[Sussex19]

They will all need the same food, as they learn to eat by being shown by mum. If you can give them all chick starter, or even an all flock type feed (although then you may have to grind it up a bit) that would be ideal.
As far as will she be able to protect them, in my experience she will not be able to stand up against a hen higher up the pecking order. However, even my more aggressive hens so far have been good with chicks, so it might work out.
I hope you have a great hatch!

 

[Bonnieboo]

They will all need the same food, as they learn to eat by being shown by mum. If you can give them all chick starter, or even an all flock type feed (although then you may have to grind it up a bit) that would be ideal.
As far as will she be able to protect them, in my experience she will not be able to stand up against a hen higher up the pecking order. However, even my more aggressive hens so far have been good with chicks, so it might work out.
I hope you have a great hatch!

Hi Sussex 19,
Thanks very much for your reply and advice.
How long though do you think I should leave them in the enclosed area?
Thanks again

 

[Pinedale Silkies]

Hi Sussex 19,
Thanks very much for your reply and advice.
How long though do you think I should leave them in the enclosed area?
Thanks again

I usually leave mine for six weeks, or until they're fully feathered. This of course depends on breed and climate. If your really worried about that other hen, you could always leave them in there till they’re eight weeks old.

 

[Sussex19]

Hi Sussex 19,
Thanks very much for your reply and advice.
How long though do you think I should leave them in the enclosed area?
Thanks again

I can't really say, as mine usually raise them with the flock as I know that the other hens are all ok with it. However, when I had some chicks that I really wanted, so was being extra cautions I kept them separate for around 6 weeks, I think. And there wasn't any problem with that.
And I'm more than happy to help, if i can! (I have only been keeping chickens for around a year and a half, but do have 7 broody hens sitting on eggs and raising chicks in the moment!)

 

[Perris]

Hi all,
I have a broody hen and I have put 4 fertile eggs under her as I just couldn't go through the agony of trying to break her.
This is my first time hatching eggs.
I feel very nervous and inexperienced and need advice.
Once the babies have hatched do I put out food and water for them in a separate area so that they won't eat mum's food?
The hen is currently shut in a section of the coop (approx. 2m x1m) that the other chooks can't access (I did this after I found Boss hen sitting on top of her laying an egg) with food, water, light and fresh air and she can see out.
Should I keep them all in there and if so, for how long?
Boss hen is aggressive so I worry she might hurt the chicks. The broody is only about 6 months old herself and was only just being tolerated by the aggressor before she became broody. Will she be able to protect them?
Any advice gratefully received.

congratulations on starting this journey; for many of us, it is the best part of chicken-keeping. I had a similar situation earlier this year (northern hemisphere) and it all worked out absolutely fine; seven healthy chicks, all now independent, and the broody has resumed laying while almost everyone else is taking a break and molting, so win-win! This was them day 2, and first time out

You will find lots of relevant information and advice on this thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...hatch-a-long-and-informational-thread.457488/

 

[WIchickMama]

Good luck on your hatch! I have a mama hen with 12 day old chicks now, I only separated her and the chicks while they were hatching. Otherwise they have been mixed in with the flock. I too have a more agressive hen and mama hen has kept her in check.

I did have a broody this summer that I did keep her and chicks separated for about 7 days and mama was not able to fend off the aggressor as her pecking order status had changed (I believe) ad she was above this hen prior to chicks.

 

[Bonnieboo]

congratulations on starting this journey; for many of us, it is the best part of chicken-keeping. I had a similar situation earlier this year (northern hemisphere) and it all worked out absolutely fine; seven healthy chicks, all now independent, and the broody has resumed laying while almost everyone else is taking a break and molting, so win-win! This was them day 2, and first time out
View attachment 3310685
You will find lots of relevant information and advice on this thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...hatch-a-long-and-informational-thread.457488/

Thank you so much! How gorgeous they are!! I'm so looking forward to meeting my new babies and my Mum in Sydney (Australia) can't wait for the photos! I am calling them her new "grandchicks" as I have no children, these will be her first grand kids!

 

[Bonnieboo]

congratulations on starting this journey; for many of us, it is the best part of chicken-keeping. I had a similar situation earlier this year (northern hemisphere) and it all worked out absolutely fine; seven healthy chicks, all now independent, and the broody has resumed laying while almost everyone else is taking a break and molting, so win-win! This was them day 2, and first time out
View attachment 3310685
You will find lots of relevant information and advice on this thread https://www.backyardchickens.com/th...hatch-a-long-and-informational-thread.457488/

Thanks a million also for the website link, it's wonderful

 

[Bonnieboo]

Good luck on your hatch! I have a mama hen with 12 day old chicks now, I only separated her and the chicks while they were hatching. Otherwise they have been mixed in with the flock. I too have a more agressive hen and mama hen has kept her in check.

I did have a broody this summer that I did keep her and chicks separated for about 7 days and mama was not able to fend off the aggressor as her pecking order status had changed (I believe) ad she was above this hen prior to chicks.

That's very interesting... I wouldn't have imagined a pecking order could change.
Thanks for your advice x