I have 2 broodys, 1 with 2 chicks and 1 with 4. They are 4 1/2 weeks old. They each had their own coop, inside the run with the big coop. 2 days ago I finally put them all out with the rest of the flock. They were accepted and left alone. That night momma w/4 slept in her normal coop. Yesterday I noticed she basically left the babies alone almost all day. They only ventured out of the big run once and then stayed in the the rest of the day. Last night momma jump right into the main coop and left the babies to fend for themselves. I grabbed her and put her back in with the babies but I don't think that will last.
These babies don't seem as "feathered and big" as chicks I've raised without momma. It's a mix group, 1 was a hatch day special, so not sure what it is, but it's normal size. Even at 4 weeks tho, it seems so much smaller than the rest. The other 3 are a Sultan, Silkie bantam and a fun and funky egg we hatched, so not real sure what it is, but it's (size wise) between the hatch day special and bantam.
The question is, these guys aren't ready to be left alone in their little coop are they? What should I do with them as momma has quit them?
These babies don't seem as "feathered and big" as chicks I've raised without momma. It's a mix group, 1 was a hatch day special, so not sure what it is, but it's normal size. Even at 4 weeks tho, it seems so much smaller than the rest. The other 3 are a Sultan, Silkie bantam and a fun and funky egg we hatched, so not real sure what it is, but it's (size wise) between the hatch day special and bantam.
The question is, these guys aren't ready to be left alone in their little coop are they? What should I do with them as momma has quit them?