I want to take a minute to rant. This is not directed to anyone on here but some posts and advice I've been seeing on some chicken facebook groups that are getting under my skin. I guess it could pertain to those of us who have broody hens and babies.
In the last month there has been countless posts about people asking for help because they let a hen hatch chicks and then want to know what to do. 2 things keep getting told to them over and over and each one wants to make me scream in frustration. Half of the advice given is to take the chicks from the momma and brood them themselves. The other half of the group say to separate momma and babies from the flock and not introduce them back until the chicks are 7 weeks or older so they are big enough to defend themselves.
The first option really ticks me off. If you are going to trust your hen to hatch, and let her go through all the work to do it give your hen a chance to prove she is a good mom. Even if I do not plan on keeping the chicks I never take them away from her until she is finished with them. To me that is cruel, if your not going to let her raise them, buy a incubator. Now if she hatches and starts killing the chicks, ok, remove them and never let her hatch again. But give the poor momma a chance please.
The 2nd option almost makes me as mad. Maybe keep them separate for a few days or up to a week but not 7 weeks. The mom will protect them, they will watch and learn from other flock members if given a chance. More importantly, when mom is done, most times before 7 weeks they are already fully integrated flock members.
I do not even attempt to offer this advise anymore because you will be hounded because you do not agree with them. Even if several people disagree with those options we are all evil and not protecting those delicate chicks. I will tell you, chicks are not as fragile as we have came to believe or be told they are.
Ok Rant over.
In the last month there has been countless posts about people asking for help because they let a hen hatch chicks and then want to know what to do. 2 things keep getting told to them over and over and each one wants to make me scream in frustration. Half of the advice given is to take the chicks from the momma and brood them themselves. The other half of the group say to separate momma and babies from the flock and not introduce them back until the chicks are 7 weeks or older so they are big enough to defend themselves.
The first option really ticks me off. If you are going to trust your hen to hatch, and let her go through all the work to do it give your hen a chance to prove she is a good mom. Even if I do not plan on keeping the chicks I never take them away from her until she is finished with them. To me that is cruel, if your not going to let her raise them, buy a incubator. Now if she hatches and starts killing the chicks, ok, remove them and never let her hatch again. But give the poor momma a chance please.
The 2nd option almost makes me as mad. Maybe keep them separate for a few days or up to a week but not 7 weeks. The mom will protect them, they will watch and learn from other flock members if given a chance. More importantly, when mom is done, most times before 7 weeks they are already fully integrated flock members.
I do not even attempt to offer this advise anymore because you will be hounded because you do not agree with them. Even if several people disagree with those options we are all evil and not protecting those delicate chicks. I will tell you, chicks are not as fragile as we have came to believe or be told they are.
Ok Rant over.
Is Bunny a good mama?
