Chicken had babies!!!

[notabadegg]

So now that she has successfully hatched out at least two babies....what do i do? Two babies were dead and pushed away when i arrived, two are peeping and curious under her wing and one egg is still under there. Mama has not left the nest yet. I gave her some food but it is layer feed. The babies need crumbles right? Do I need to separate mama and her babies? I already locked the other chickens out for now until I know what I need to do but....you guys, I really do not know what I need to do next!!! HELP!!!

 

[HEChicken]

I do usually separate a new mother with her chicks for the first few days. That gives them all a chance to bond and for the chicks to know the sound of their mama's voice so they can respond to her if they get too far away. I have several small "nursery" pens that they go in until mama has left the nest and I've observed the chicks eating and drinking well. Then I open the door of the nursery pen and shoo them out to go and free-range. I do set up a chick creeper with chick crumbles in it so the chicks can access the food they need without having to feed it to the rest of the flock. Mama quickly understands that she needs to swing by the creeper on a regular basis to give the chicks a chance to feed. The rest of the time she finds them treats like bugs and greens to eat out in the chicken yard, teaches them to dust bathe, and at dusk, teaches them how to navigate the pop door and get safely under her to sleep for the night.

 

[notabadegg]

What kind of makeshift nursery could I use do you suppose? I do not have anything right now.

 

[HEChicken]

Perhaps an old rabbit cage, dog crate, play pen from your kids? I've used all of the above at one time or another

Depending on your coop set up and how warm it is, you might even be able to use a large cardboard box with a piece of chicken wire stretched over the top of it. It only has to stand up to temporary use.