Chicks hatching, NOW WHAT

[darin367]

About a month ago I posted a question on here asking if I could put a dozen or so eggs in 1 box and let 1 of my hens hatch them. Every answer was without a broody hen, no way..... None of my hens were broody, well I decided I'd let ole mother nature do her thing. So I collected a dozen eggs over a week, kept them in the fridge, piled them up in 1 box. After about 2 or 3 days my black australop decided to sit on them. It's been 22 days since she started sitting, go out there this morning and there's a few chicks under her wings, and a few eggs with cracks in them. Couldn't get a real good look, but that's what I can see. So I was wondering if I should wait a day or 2 and move them into a brooder, with there mom, without there mom? Should I just keep em in the coop. I have 4 other hens in the coop and run and 1 Rooster. I've only had chickens since last Sept. so I'm new to this. What do you guys think? My hens are mixed breeds americanas-barred rock, thats what I was told.. 1 RIR...Thanks for any advice........

 

[ShadowRooster]

If your chickens free-range or you have a large run you can keep the babies with mom in the coop. I would not keep all of them together if space is tight, the other hens WILL peck the babies if mother hen is not high in the pecking order. After the babies hatch you should move them to the ground.

Mom will not be happy in a brooder, she will fly out and try to get the babies to come with her by calling to them and jumping in and out of the box, mabey hurting one. You could always make a broody coop with a littlle outdoor run, thats the best way to go. I free-range my broodies out with the rest of my flock, and the moms do a great job.

 

[debid]

Well, nature has been taking care of them so far... I'd leave it alone and just watch for signs of trouble. I think people are too quick to intervene sometimes. Yes, it's true that adult chickens sometimes attack the chicks. But, if they have enough space, the rooster isn't overly aggressive, and everyone seems happy, I'd step aside and let the mama bird do her job.

 

[DrRob]

This post is excellent, maybe I will try that with some of my own eggs, as my incubator cannot take any more for a few weeks and my box of ready and waiting eggs are growing.

Thank you for posting this.

Regards
Dr Rob.