Feeding/Watering Chicks with Broody Hen

[akf93]

We are anticipating our first hatch this week with a broody. She is in the coop with all the other chickens and ducks. Any suggestions on set up for food and water for the chicks? We normally feed in the run and water just outside the run. I understand these should be at floor level inside the coop for awhile but with all the other birds, I’m not sure the best set up. Any thoughts?

 

[Yardmom]

Sometimes I have switched all my birds to flock raiser and provide 5 gallon waters that are chick safe.( Make sure to have oyster shells for layers) Basically I provide enough for all in a chick friendly way. At other times I place my smaller water and some flock raiser in the cage where they hatched. (Take the mother out so she doesn't scratch bedding into the water) lift an edge of the cage so chicks can go out to the mother or into the food and water. I was surprised at how quickly chicks learn to do this.

 

[akf93]

Sometimes I have switched all my birds to flock raiser and provide 5 gallon waters that are chick safe.( Make sure to have oyster shells for layers) Basically I provide enough for all in a chick friendly way. At other times I place my smaller water and some flock raiser in the cage where they hatched. (Take the mother out so she doesn't scratch bedding into the water) lift an edge of the cage so chicks can go out to the mother or into the food and water. I was surprised at how quickly chicks learn to do this.

Thanks! I was thinking of using a nipple waterer because the ducks will destroy anything else. Do I just put it at baby level even though mom then won’t be able to use it? And food - I usually do a flat dish of grower feed for brooder chicks but the big birds will surely destroy that too. So I got a little corner trough feeder but it’s too tall even at floor level for a tiny newbie. I may try the cage idea but my coop isn’t terribly large. I may get that to work though. I’m honestly not expecting any to actually hatch. Hoping for 3 chicks total whether it be from the hatch or from the farm store. So they won’t need much room!

 

[Happy hen lover]

Chicks aren't strong enough to poke the plunger until they are 1-2 weeks old so maybe a cup waterer till then.