Giant surprise!!!! We have baby chicks!

[hawtchick]

Hi! I went out to collect eggs this morning and found a huge surprise!!! My bantam cochin hatched 4 eggs sometime yesterday. # babies made it, and now I don't know what to do. They had been in her nest box under her, but they need food and water and all we have in there is water and food that is high up, and I the babies couldn't get out of the nest box on their own, so I took them from her. They are in a bin with food, water and a light, but they are peeping like crazy so I feel bad for taking them away but it's still really cold here in NH for the most part, so I am at a loss with what to do with them.
We have never had a hen hatch her own chicks before, so I could use some guidance please!!!

Thank you!
Jess

 

[HEChicken]

I would give them back to her at once! She can honestly take better care of them than any person could - she'll keep them warm, don't worry about that. I would move her and the chicks to the floor, and make sure they have access to both food and water (in which they can't drown) and leave her to do the rest.

 

[tyjaco]

yes...PLEASE give the chicks back to her!

 

[gryeyes]

They don't NEED to eat for the first 3 days, as they are still absorbing the yolk (which is why baby chicks can be sent through the mail). Give them back to mom and put the broody hen in the nest box closer to food and water or put the food and water closer to her.

The chicks will be just fine with their mom, no matter what the temperature!

And congrats on becoming a Grandparent!

 

[hawtchick]

what about her other eggs she is sitting on? what about the other birds in the coop???? I am worried they will hurt the chicks.

 

[hawtchick]

I decided to make her a floor level nest box with a rubbermaid container. I moved her eggs and the chicks to it. The chicks quieted down immediately and she was happy to get them back under her. I feel much better about this!!! They are still in the coop and not separated, just a special place that the chicks can get food and water when they need it. Thanks for your help!!!!!
Jess

 

[LaynaDon95]

what about her other eggs she is sitting on? what about the other birds in the coop???? I am worried they will hurt the chicks.

I highly doubt Momma will let the other birds hurt them. I would be more concerned about Momma hurting anyone who tries to mess with her babies, assuming she does take good care of them, which I'm sure she will.

I decided to make her a floor level nest box with a rubbermaid container. I moved her eggs and the chicks to it. The chicks quieted down immediately and she was happy to get them back under her. I feel much better about this!!! They are still in the coop and not separated, just a special place that the chicks can get food and water when they need it. Thanks for your help!!!!!
Jess

Sounds great! I'm glad they are happy.

Can they get out of the container? I would make it to where they could.

 

[hawtchick]

Yes they can. I laid it on it's side, so it was like a nest box with no front. She and the babies seem much happier!!!

 

[LaynaDon95]

I wish one of mine would hatch me some babies. I have 12 at the moment, of course, hatched by me though. and 7 hatched by a friend.

Can you post a pic of Momma and babies?