Caring for chicks?

[hennypennyX12]

So our broody hen has just hatched her first batch of chicks....my question is:
Does she take care of them (feeding etc.) or do we need to get them sorted out indoors with a heat source, starter feed and a waterer?

 

[Bailey1234]

It's easier if you let mom do it. You will want to find a way to put food and water in that is accessable for the chicks but not for the other birds so they aren't competing and your layers aren't sucking up the chick starter. I use an upside down laundry basket that has holes in it big enough for the chicks to run in and out of but not the big girls. A good mom is better equiped to keep them warm and safe and will introduce them to the flock when they are ready with less stress than if you or I were in charge.

 

[hennypennyX12]

Thank you. That is exactly what I thought and wanted to be sure. Since we removed the hen from the rest of the hens as we only wanted to start the rooster with one hen, the babies don't have to compete and both mom and dad are very loving and nurturing parents (dad has sat on eggs almost as much as mom!) We have four hatched so far and two starting to hatch and another 8 or so eggs I can't tell on yet. a couple of the chicks are already following mom out of the nest to get food and water, so I think we are in good shape and hopefully in a couple weeks we will introduce the whole family back into the hen house with the rest of the flock.