Gave broody mama three old day babies and now she won't get off them to teach them to eat/drink....

[amandadvd]

I have a mama that has been broody for a full month and didn't actually hatch any eggs. I gave her two, three day old babies yesterday. I read conflicting info on whether or not to do it in the day or night but my fear was if I did it at night that she may end up rejecting them and they would freeze to death. She did sit on them, didn't actively reject them, and I took the four eggs away that were under her. Mama got up for a few minutes and walked around and went back in and laid down but I had to help the babies get over to her and under her (with a stick to gently lift her wing or she would have pecked me to death - very protective!). Now this morning it looks like they are still under her but she is just sitting there. Shouldn't she teach them to eat and drink? Since they are three day old babies they really need to be out eating and drinking and unfortunately I can't sit right there and watch all day. I don't want to interfere too much but I want to be sure their needs are being met. Should I try to get them out? Thanks!

 

[sourland]

Put on your gloves and move her off the nest so that the chicks eat and drink.

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

where did you get the chicks from?

 

[amandadvd]

Put on your gloves and move her off the nest so that the chicks eat and drink.

I just went out and put a plate of food and bowl of water very nearby. One of them came out from under her and walked around so I am hopeful!

 

[amandadvd]

where did you get the chicks from?

a local person with an excess of chicks. I tried not to touch them too much.... they were hatched by a mama and not an incubator so they are familiar with what mama should do.

 

[crazy4ChickensNducks]

a local person with an excess of chicks. I tried not to touch them too much.... they were hatched by a mama and not an incubator so they are familiar with what mama should do.

they probably already know how to eat and drink then, remove the hen from the nest and put feed and water in front of the chicks, if they frantically eat and drink they are not eating or drinking (duh) if not then they are fine and doing it when youre not there

 

[amandadvd]

And two days later she is doing what she should but she accidentally stepped on one and killed it. Fingers crossed the other one hangs in there.