Hatched chicks

[Maryeb]

Hello. Couple questions. My 2 hens laid about 13 eggs. I really wasn't paying attn. 4 of the eggs have hatched so far. Both hens went back n forth over eggs. Angroboda is taking care of the chicks that hatched, Rooster(my RIR hen) is sitting on rest of the eggs. I have the coop closed so my roos wont get in there. I have water, medicated chick feed, and regular food for them in the coop. 1) How long should I keep the coop closed? My run floor is just compact dirt. We live in a very humid place and I was told that leaves, cut grass, hay just makes it disease prone. 2) What is good on the ground for them to root around? I have been digging up clumps of grass and throwing in there. 3) How old should they be for them to free range?
Thanks for your help!

 

[MysteryChicken]

Using leaves, or hay won't give your birds a Disease. I put leaves, & pine needles in my chicken's runs.

Reason you're keeping the Rooster's away from the hens hatching chicks?

 

[Maryeb]

Using leaves, or hay won't give your birds a Disease. I put leaves, & pine needles in my chicken's runs.

Reason you're keeping the Rooster's away from the hens hatching chicks?

I thought they would hurt the chicks. The humidity is very high here. The leaves and hay get moldy fast.

 

[MysteryChicken]

I thought they would hurt the chicks. The humidity is very high here. The leaves and hay get moldy fast.

It gets very humid where I live. My birds don't eat the run litter. I always throw it in fresh.

A rooster won't hurt their offspring.

But it is a good idea to let the broodies have privacy while hatching. Chicks don't need food immediately, they have yolk that supplements them for about 2-3 days.

 

[Maryeb]

It gets very humid where I live. My birds don't eat the run litter. I always throw it in fresh.

A rooster won't hurt their offspring.

But it is a good idea to let the broodies have privacy while hatching. Chicks don't need food immediately, they have yolk that supplements them for about 2-3 days.

I have 4 roos. 2 hens. I know I need to get rid of 3 of the roos. I also saw one of the mommas eating the shell of a chick already hatched. Should I let them do this or crush it up for them?

 

[MysteryChicken]

I have 4 roos. 2 hens. I know I need to get rid of 3 of the roos. I also saw one of the mommas eating the shell of a chick already hatched. Should I let them do this or crush it up for them?

Yeah, too many roosters.

Normal for hens to eat the egg shell. They're replenishing the calcium they've lost, & cleaning the area.

 

[Huntmaster]

I have water, medicated chick feed, and regular food for them in the coop.

If you think you need the regular feed in there with chicks, I would have it raised up so chicks can't get to it, so they only eat their chick feed. They need the higher protein% feed.

 

[Huntmaster]

I have 4 roos. 2 hens. I know I need to get rid of 3 of the roos. I also saw one of the mommas eating the shell of a chick already hatched. Should I let them do this or crush it up for them?

Even 1 roo for 2 hens can be a bit much for the hens to handle. Would be good to keep hens from your hatchlings to increase your hens so they don't get stressed or injured from too much attention from your roo.