Maggie cannot count, lucky for us!! I took out 4 (of 6) new chicks out this evening, she took them perfectly. I am just worried about heat.
She had 9 eggs to start with and now there will be 18 chicks under her tonight... should i leave the brooder (red) lamp on as a precaution? Will it do more harm than good if Momma doesn't get to sleep?
She took them to "bed" already - her nursery is in the front 1/3 of the coop separated from the big-girls.. she has her nest underneath the nesting boxes (that protrude into the front area) and we have an old T shirt hanging in front of her making a dark space... we had a brooding lamp on during the day in the center of the nursery area - giving the chicks more room to run around with warmer temperatures.. We have an internet camera in our coop so I can keep tabs on her and the little ones (during day light) so far everyone is still tucked under momma and resting - it's so quiet!
My gut is saying right now she is fine keeping them warm and it's better for them to all bond together with momma.. shut off the brooder light. Suggestions?
