Hope all is well in everyone’s chickenland.
I have some free range Silkies and recently they collectively hatched 8 chicks. They chose to share one nest and they all mother the chicks as one unit. The chicks hatching was staggered so they vary from 4-5 weeks old. They have been out and about with the rest of the flock, raised by the mothers, 100% of the time. Of course we provide a good supply of food, clean water, and basic shelter for them and the rest of the flock.
The chicks are all healthy and growing like mad. They seem to be fully feathered and well acclimated. None are huddling in a manner that would indicate chilliness.
This is our first free-range hatch so are unsure about this: The past couple nights, two of the three mothers have returned to roosting with the other adults, while the third remains with the 8 chicks at night in a cozy lean-to shelter. The adult’s roost is very close to where the brood spends the night and is always accessible to them. Nightime temperatures here (eastern TN) have been gradually getting as low as 55f.
I want to believe that these mothers know what’s best...but am unsure. Do you think I should be concerned that two of the mothers have returned to roosting with the others at night while the third continues to bed down with the chicks?
During the daytime, all three mother’s worlds continue to revolve around the chicks welfare...
I am thinking the chicks at this point simply do not require the heat of all three hens at night and the hens know this. What do you all think about this?
I have some free range Silkies and recently they collectively hatched 8 chicks. They chose to share one nest and they all mother the chicks as one unit. The chicks hatching was staggered so they vary from 4-5 weeks old. They have been out and about with the rest of the flock, raised by the mothers, 100% of the time. Of course we provide a good supply of food, clean water, and basic shelter for them and the rest of the flock.
The chicks are all healthy and growing like mad. They seem to be fully feathered and well acclimated. None are huddling in a manner that would indicate chilliness.
This is our first free-range hatch so are unsure about this: The past couple nights, two of the three mothers have returned to roosting with the other adults, while the third remains with the 8 chicks at night in a cozy lean-to shelter. The adult’s roost is very close to where the brood spends the night and is always accessible to them. Nightime temperatures here (eastern TN) have been gradually getting as low as 55f.
I want to believe that these mothers know what’s best...but am unsure. Do you think I should be concerned that two of the mothers have returned to roosting with the others at night while the third continues to bed down with the chicks?
During the daytime, all three mother’s worlds continue to revolve around the chicks welfare...
I am thinking the chicks at this point simply do not require the heat of all three hens at night and the hens know this. What do you all think about this?
