Do broodies abandon their chicks?

[TJAnonymous]

Ok...well....I let my chickens out to free range around the barn this morning. It's getting hot this afternoon so most of my flock are back up by the coop where it is shaded. The 6 chicks are completely MIA. I went out and looked around for them in places where they used to hide with their mama(s) but I can't find or hear them anywhere. Really really REALLY hoping that nothing has happened to them and that they turn up.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Ok...well....I let my chickens out to free range around the barn this morning. It's getting hot this afternoon so most of my flock are back up by the coop where it is shaded. The 6 chicks are completely MIA. I went out and looked around for them in places where they used to hide with their mama(s) but I can't find or hear them anywhere. Really really REALLY hoping that nothing has happened to them and that they turn up.

They're likely in their own group. I've got a gang of 5 week olds (and some.3 week olds now) that have done well in theirbown for a while

 

[Ebony Rose]

And so you'll leave us hanging, wondering? Did they come home last night?

 

[TJAnonymous]

And so you'll leave us hanging, wondering? Did they come home last night?

Yes! They eventually showed up right before dusk... We have a couple of grey foxes on the prowl so I've been really worried about them

 

[Ebony Rose]

Thank you so much for the update and glad that this was a happy ending to your worry.

 

[TJAnonymous]

So my worst fears were realized this morning. I walked outside around 7 am to go feed everyone. As I approached the gate into the pasture, I saw a fox take off from the scrub bushes. The baby chicks had squeezed through the 2x4 welded wire fence and were out free ranging in the scrub brush when the foxes (a mama and her kit, I think) caught them unaware. Five chicks made it back to the safety of the chicken yard. One did not....

I've since gathered up the remaining 5 chicks and moved them into my Silkie pen until they are big enough that they can't squeeze through the fence. I'm sure this will be traumatic for them because they've never been in the Silkie coop or even introduced through the fence. Poor babies... Hopefully they will grow fast....

 

[3KillerBs]

So my worst fears were realized this morning. I walked outside around 7 am to go feed everyone. As I approached the gate into the pasture, I saw a fox take off from the scrub bushes. The baby chicks had squeezed through the 2x4 welded wire fence and were out free ranging in the scrub brush when the foxes (a mama and her kit, I think) caught them unaware. Five chicks made it back to the safety of the chicken yard. One did not....

I've since gathered up the remaining 5 chicks and moved them into my Silkie pen until they are big enough that they can't squeeze through the fence. I'm sure this will be traumatic for them because they've never been in the Silkie coop or even introduced through the fence. Poor babies... Hopefully they will grow fast....

Chicks can easily get through my electric poultry netting so I have an inner curtain of plastic hardware cloth set up. You can see it in this photo.

 

[Phaedra Geiermann]

Chicks can easily get through my electric poultry netting so I have an inner curtain of plastic hardware cloth set up. You can see it in this photo.

View attachment 2759221

Yes, i did the same. I didn't do it until our broody hen started hatching eggs, the original fence is too easy for chicks to get through.

So at the end I have totally 3 layers to prevent them from going outside the run. But this morning a toad showed up inside the run, ehhh? I still have no idea how it comes in

 

[Phaedra Geiermann]

Our 6 chicks are 3 weeks old now, and 4 of them are no longer following mama hen very close, when they are out with other adult hens, those 4 are even dare to get very close to other adult hens for getting some food (and run before big girls peck them).

At the same time, mama hen also didn't worry about those 4, she still takes good care of the 2 always go everywhere with her, when I offer them some berries, she will also call all of them to eat, but i guess sooner or later, she will no longer so protective.

 

[aart]

The baby chicks had squeezed through the 2x4 welded wire fence and were out free ranging in the scrub brush when the foxes (a mama and her kit, I think) caught them unaware. Five chicks made it back to the safety of the chicken yard. One did not.

ACK!
I put up 2' of 1/2 HC on the inside of my run for just this reason.
Also allowed me to use deeper bedding(coarse wood chippings) in the run.