For those who let broody hens raise chicks with the flock…

[Sher1015]

Background, a week ago, I slipped my broody girl two chicks. She’s a great mama, to my relief. We have a small, raised coop with a large, secure run. Six birds, including chicks. I kept them a little isolated for five days, but I’ve now allowed the others to come and go, and the chicks have been down in the run with mom (supervised). Mama hen is beautifully protective.

Three questions:

When will chicks be able to follow mom back up the ramp?

How should I handle food and water? I don’t usually have either in our small coop, and I really hate having it in there since they make a mess, but I don’t know if they’ll go into the run to eat and drink.

Should I create a mini coop in the run at ground level, maybe under the ramp? I’d love to see an example if anyone has done this. Thanks!

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

You will need to just watch and see if she can get them back inside at night. If she brings them back outside in the morning you don't need food and water inside.

 

[KailuaSilkies]

Background, a week ago, I slipped my broody girl two chicks. She’s a great mama, to my relief. We have a small, raised coop with a large, secure run. Six birds, including chicks. I kept them a little isolated for five days, but I’ve now allowed the others to come and go, and the chicks have been down in the run with mom (supervised). Mama hen is beautifully protective.

Three questions:

When will chicks be able to follow mom back up the ramp?

How should I handle food and water? I don’t usually have either in our small coop, and I really hate having it in there since they make a mess, but I don’t know if they’ll go into the run to eat and drink.

Should I create a mini coop in the run at ground level, maybe under the ramp? I’d love to see an example if anyone has done this. Thanks!

How did it go? Do you have any pointers now that you’ve been through it? I have a broody hen who’s first clutch didn’t make it so I will be placing day old chicks from our incubator under her in a day or two….. I have never done this and am not sure how it all works but I’ve had success with them just by observation and intuition….. so I’m really hoping this all works out and the babies are okay. any helpful tips would be so appreciated

 

[Sher1015]

It really went pretty well! She accepted both chicks and really stood up for them. One died out of the blue. No sign of pecking, pasty butt, or strange behaviors. I was really concerned that the other chick wouldn’t have a peer, but it still went fine. We did have one hen that singled the chick out and got a few good pecks in, but it sorted itself. I did have to spray with some Vetricyn. Unfortunately my remaining chick turned out to be a cockerel. He’s living his best life with a friend in the country, now. I would just make sure you’ve got a protected food/water area for chicks once they’re in the run. I had to set ours in there a couple of times, but they figured out what to do. I also had a few other protected areas they could run to, but they never really used them. I also switched my girls to all flock feed with free choice oyster shell and grit so I wouldn’t have to worry about providing different food. Good luck!

 

[Sher1015]

How did it go? Do you have any pointers now that you’ve been through it? I have a broody hen who’s first clutch didn’t make it so I will be placing day old chicks from our incubator under her in a day or two….. I have never done this and am not sure how it all works but I’ve had success with them just by observation and intuition….. so I’m really hoping this all works out and the babies are okay. any helpful tips would be so appreciated

It really went pretty well! She accepted both chicks and really stood up for them. One died out of the blue. No sign of pecking, pasty butt, or strange behaviors. I was really concerned that the other chick wouldn’t have a peer, but it still went fine. We did have one hen that singled the chick out and got a few good pecks in, but it sorted itself. I did have to spray with some Vetricyn. Unfortunately my remaining chick turned out to be a cockerel. He’s living his best life with a friend in the country, now. I would just make sure you’ve got a protected food/water area for chicks once they’re in the run. I had to set ours in there a couple of times, but they figured out what to do. I also had a few other protected areas they could run to, but they never really used them. I also switched my girls to all flock feed with free choice oyster shell and grit so I wouldn’t have to worry about providing different food. Good luck!

 

[Sher1015]

How did it go? Do you have any pointers now that you’ve been through it? I have a broody hen who’s first clutch didn’t make it so I will be placing day old chicks from our incubator under her in a day or two….. I have never done this and am not sure how it all works but I’ve had success with them just by observation and intuition….. so I’m really hoping this all works out and the babies are okay. any helpful tips would be so appreciated

Also, regarding going in and out, it took very little time for the chicks to follow her up and down the ramp. I can’t remember exactly how long, and I did have to rescue the chicks a time out two before they figured it out, but they were motivated to be with mama .

 

[Altairsky]

At 1 week they should be able to use the ramp.
I don't trust them to be able to use the ramp at less than 1 week old, I tried to free range chicks from day 1 but it went horribly bad. So I always wait 1 week before letting them down the ramp.