Hello everyone, I have an Ameraucana hen that decided to get broody 3 weeks ago and now 4 of her 7 eggs (I snuck some extra under her when she was out eating ) have hatched. Currently, she is in a raised box in one of our hen houses. My question is, when do I need to move them so the chicks can get on the ground? This morning I threw some small pieces of lettuce and wheat bread in her nest for her and she was showing one of the chicks how to eat it. This is my first time raising my own chicks so thanks for any info. Robin robin@polylith.com
she will want to come out after she is sure all the eggs are hatched. We always put them in a seperate pen where the babies can't get through the fences, and she can be there. it is so cool to watch them run for cover under mamma's wings!! keeping them seperate keeps them safer I think, sometimes the other chickens will pick at them if they get too far away from mamma.
Hi Robin Congratulations. When we have hens that go broody in unsuitable places we wait till the chicks are dry and then move them very carefully to a new safe place. Don't leave it too long or the chicks will find their feet and may go exploring as they can do sometimes within a few hours. It's up to you though, but I would recommend moving them as soon as you can and with any unhatched eggs too so that the hen will feel like staying and sitting on the new nest to get used to it.
So, I should move them to somewhere safe that the chicks can get out and start foraging for themselves? Hens don't regurgitate, do they? (I've go a photo, how to I post it?)
Yes I would move them along with her eggs so she can finish the setting process. To post a pic, upload it to an online photoservice like photobucket.com Then paste the link to it here between Img tags that look like this
I take the hatched chicks and put them in a brooder while the rest of the eggs have a chance to hatch. When all the eggs are hatched or deemed not vialble, I put the chicks back under mom at night. It works with cochin bantams. Not sure if all breeds would acept the chicks back. After a couple of days mom will want to leave the nest to take care of her little ones even if there are still eggs to hatch.
I just put them in a place by themselves, with a chick feeder and a waterer with marbles in it just like if I had it in the house. you will have to keep water in there though, because of mommy chicken, they have to eat, they will pick at the food when they watch mommy. Chickens do not regurgitate. parrots do, and some other birds.