Can I take the chicks from the broody once they hatch?

[dancingbear]

I never take chicks from a mama unless she's not caring for them. That doesn't happen often, I've only had it happen twice in many years. One of those times, another broody immediately adopted them. I put them under her that night, they snuggled in under her, and the next day, she was happily teaching all of them to be chickens. Then she adopted all the other hens chicks, as they got tired of being moms. She started with 4, wound up with 10 or 12. Then I had another hen hatch guineas eggs, and this super mom helped her co-parent them. Super mom is a light Brahma, BTW.

Hens freak out so much if you take the chicks, I just don't see any reason for it. They're better off with a chicken mom, with rare exceptions. Besides, after she did all the work of hatching them, it just seems cruel to take them from her.

 

[B. Saffles Farms]

You can, its really up to you. I take some of mine, especially if they free range to avoid them getting caught by predators. The hen will forget about them pretty quick.

 

[shelleyd2008]

I have a few certain hens that I take babies away from. They seem relieved when I do. Then I have a few that will mope around FOREVER after I take their babies away, those will get to keep them this time, as long as they want to!

 

[Maryallison]

Thanks for all the replies!!!

I guess a main concern is that I will not be there to protect the chicks. I am worried other members of the flock will kill them.

 

[Littlechick]

I had a batch hatch out here in the last couple days, and today we saw Mama leading her brood out to the edge of the woods to eat and drink. We caught Mama and the babies, and put them all in the brooder together. Mama is part of a free range flock, and I'm afraid the cat, or something else, will get the babies. I plan on watching Mama closely in a couple days when I take her out of the brooder, and if she seems mopey, then I will put a baby or two with her, and keep the rest in the brooder. I would think she can better protect one or two as opposed to nine.

 

[lisabug]

We have done both. This most recent hatch we found 1 baby half way across the yard in the rain peeping...so we went to check on the others (out of 3). One had been crushed to death. So between not watching her babies and accidently killing one. We decided it was in the best intrest to take the 2 remaining. Poor dead baby!

She is a first time momma so maybe thats why!

 

[LoveMyBirds]

Quote:
I raised 15 last year that I purchased.. They never were friendly with me.. When they got big enough to put in pen and house, I would go and let them to free range, they would hit the edge of the woods..

But in evening back to hen pen/house which was good.. One rooster got stubborn so he went into my skillet...

Yummy..

After about 4 months they started to come up into my area, and I can throw feed out now (treats) hollor chickies.. and eventually come up...

So I'm assuming that it depends on the breed.. Mine are Pheonix

 

[Maryallison]

Well, thanks for the help everyone! ThinkingI am gonna take my chicks and put them in a brooder