Broody silkie hatching out babies with rest of flock

[Sunflower01]

We had three hens go broody during the winter. a silkie mix, a silkie and a cochin. I brought them in the basement and let them hatch out their eggs. We now have a total of 11 new chicks that vary in ages from 5 months to 2 months. I took the babies from the moms when they hatched in fear the moms would pick them to death. We raised them in cages in the basement untill they were feathered out and ready to be integrated into the rest of the flock. (The dust and smell was horrible) Integration went well. I put the babies in a dog crate and put them in the hen house so the older hens and rooster could get aquainted with the nubies.. The last batch have been in with the hens and rooster for 2 weeks. Last night I let the big girls out to freerange and then let the babies out to roam the inside of the coop. They were very curious and enjoyed their freedom for about 3 hours. I then put them back in their cage and at dark the big girls came back into their house to roost. I then opened the door to the babies cage and fastened chicken wire to the upper part of the door so the babies can get back in but the big girls can not. This morning at dawn I went out to check on the babies, Cesar was crowing and the big girls were still on the roost. It was adorable, the babies were all out of their cage sitting and standing looking out the door into the enclosed run as if to say, Wow... look out there at that big open space, it made me chuckle. I then went off to work so hopefully integration won't be to rough on the babies. My husband and daughter are home today to keep an eye on things. On another note I let a silkie set on 4 eggs and left her in with her coop mates this time. I wanted to try to see if she would hatch out the babies and raise them with her flock. I partitioned an area off with chicken wire so she could have some privacy with food and water and put a small hole so she could come and go. This morning one of the babies have hatched and she was tending to it. AWWW, it was so precious. Can't wait to get home to see how everyone is doing. After readng some of the posts I was worried that the momas would not be able to care for the babies but so far so good. I'll try to post pictures on Monday and let you know how everyone is doing.

 

[Ridgerunner]

We all have different situations and our chickens have different personalities. Anything can happen and there are risks either way we do it. I prefer to have a hen raise the chicks with the flock for several reasons. Letting Mama take charge of the integration is my main one. I'm glad what you are doing seems to work for you. Good luck on the hatch and the integrations.

 

[Sunflower01]

I hear you and agree. My main reason for taking the hatching chicks from the mommas was my family, two daughters 19 and 21 and husband, were worried that the babies would be killed by the other hens or their mothers. But raising them our self, intigrating them is alot of work, time and energy, not to mention the constant mess and smell. Chickens have been raising their own young for thouands of years. Yes, there will be loosses but it's so nice to see nature take its course. Of course Iam not out of the woods yet, hopefuly momma silkie will protect her babies and everyone will get along. If not, my daughters will probably never forgive me. Please god, let Tipsy be a great momma.. and let all 4 babies hatch out and live peacefully within their flock.