Half my flock decimated...;-(

[robcam817]

Success! One of my Hens is a new momma. I have no idea what, (if anything) I need to do for the new chicks. Will she take care of them, do I need to do anything etc...?

I tried searching the site but didn't find what I needed. If someone can just point me to the links that'd be much appreciated!

P.S. I started a new thread for this then remembered I posted here. Want to delete the other thread but can't figure out how...;-(

 

[aart]

I started a new thread for this then remembered I posted here. Want to delete the other thread but can't figure out how...;-(

The other thread is good,
https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/new-momma-and-first-babies.1377839/
you'll get more replies there.

 

[robcam817]

Before you get more chickens, you need to setup a predator proof system for them. Options would be electrified netting or even a tractor coop or run to move around the yard that can withstand a dog, fox or etc.

Broodies are not predictable so you might wait a long time to get one. If you can get started pullets, that would be the fastest way to get more egg layers quicly

Their coop is predator proof but I want them to free-range. I don't have the room to setup a tractor coop so I guess this is the trade off...

 

[ronott1]

Their coop is predator proof but I want them to free-range. I don't have the room to setup a tractor coop so I guess this is the trade off...

Are you in the country? Check out electrified fencing.

I hatched eggs for an egg farmer that kept his flock out in an orchard. He had electrified netting around very large mobile coops that kept the flock safe in the day time. At night they were safe in the coop

 

[Mrs. K]

If she is good at free ranging, she will take care of her chicks as best as possible. She will generally not follow the flock, but will rather do her own thing, however, her chicks will be accepted by the flock.

You may loose them, but you probably won't. Do switch to either chick feed or flock raiser. Serve oyster shell on the side if you wish. Do make sure that water is available at their height. I often just put a ring of rock around the outside of the bowl, so to up their height, and I fill the dish with large rocks so they don't fall in.

Nothing more fun, than a hen and chick.

Mrs K

 

[robcam817]

If she is good at free ranging, she will take care of her chicks as best as possible. She will generally not follow the flock, but will rather do her own thing, however, her chicks will be accepted by the flock.

You may loose them, but you probably won't. Do switch to either chick feed or flock raiser. Serve oyster shell on the side if you wish. Do make sure that water is available at their height. I often just put a ring of rock around the outside of the bowl, so to up their height, and I fill the dish with large rocks so they don't fall in.

Nothing more fun, than a hen and chick.

Mrs K

Much appreciated Mrs K. They're all in a small nesting box with her and that box is about 1 1/2 feet off the inside coop floor, (I'll make and attach a vid so you can see the layout of the coop) .

Should I move them to a space where they have room to move around, get the food/water etc? The coop I built has an inside coop that has plenty of room, is off the ground about 3-4 feet and predator proof.

 

[aart]

(I'll make and attach a vid so you can see the layout of the coop) .

In case you don't know...vids need to be uploaded to youtube, or similar platform, then linked here.
Can't wait to see it.

 

[Jenthehen127]

Raised those girls from day old....;-( They free range during the day. Came home yesterday to find 1 mostly eaten carcass in the drive and 4 of the other hens are MIA. Dogs, coyotes, who knows.... I'm left with 2 Roosters and 4 Hens, (Black Australorps). Called McMurray hatchery today and ordered 6 pullets. Just don't have the time right now to raise babies... Other than keeping them in the vicinity but separate from the original flock for a few weeks, is there anything else I should know/do?

I guess an alternative would be to just let one or 2 of the females hatch a brood. If the girls are sitting on the eggs does that mean they've been fertilized? How do you know if they're sitting on fertilized eggs or not fertilized? Those roosters are getting busy all day everyday but I guess it's possible there's a chance the eggs aren't fertilized.

Once they hatch are they mostly self sustaining? Much thx in advance.

-rob in NW Montana

How awful! I'm sorry for your loss!

 

[robcam817]

This links to a Google drive
https://drive.google.com/folderview?id=1gLDI4IF9Kyc4GEwgRhTHjyvMXMv_GLF7

The files are still uploading so may be awhile. Theres about 7 and they're about 30 pseconds each.

Short story long, out of 16 eggs 4 hatched and 3 died. My fault, feel so stupid in retrospect...

The videos will hopefully explain what happened. My thought is I should have moved the eggs out of that nest box down to the floor of the inside run as soon as she got broidy and put feed/water out around day 17 in preparation. I think they died of dehydration but who knows for sure...

The hen and remaining chick have chick food and water accessible now. I showed the chick how to drink out of the waterer, (just like i did when I got the original day olds). Time will tell...

Soonest I could get chicks is about a month out. Too late to have her try and raise them?

Any suggestions are most welcome. Thx in advance.

-rob

 

[Mrs. K]

No she won't raise them. You need day old birds and a broody hen without chicks.