HELP !!! Baby chicks discovered and its MID OCT!!

[Ridgerunner]

I had a hen go broody in late August so I put an assortment of eggs under her. She hatched 10 eggs on Sept 3 and they are doing beautifully. At 6 weeks old they now are the first ones out of the coop in the morning and mama takes them in and out all day. the other 6 hens and 2 roosters are totally cool with them. My wonder is about when will she wean them from her? I am getting 5 more babies soon from a friend that are 5 weeks old now. I'm wondering if My babies will take to them since they are all small, or does that matter in chickenland?

I’ve had broody hens totally wean their chicks at three weeks in the heat of summer, I’ve had some go over nine weeks. I’ve had broody hens stop taking care of them during the day but protect them at night. I’ve had broody hens abandon their chicks at night but take care of them during the day. Nobody can tell you when she will wean them or how, but I’ve had six week olds go through nights with no broody and no supplemental heat when it was below freezing for an overnight low. Yours should be fine whatever Momma does.

 

[Lomasi]

typically 6 to 8 weeks is time for mama to bail on them. I have a hen who leaves them at 4 weeks. A little young but they manage. She still lets them by her at night but during the day she hides from them. I've watched her and will say she keeps an eye on them but makes sure they can't see her. If they do find her she runs and hides again. I think she would help them if they were in trouble but otherwise she is hands off at 4 weeks.

Awesome thanks! They will be a little disconcerted but that's life. Heck I find myself hiding from my 18yr old son from time to time. Lol So what is your take in bringing new babies in with mine?

 

[Lomasi]

I’ve had broody hens totally wean their chicks at three weeks in the heat of summer, I’ve had some go over nine weeks. I’ve had broody hens stop taking care of them during the day but protect them at night. I’ve had broody hens abandon their chicks at night but take care of them during the day. Nobody can tell you when she will wean them or how, but I’ve had six week olds go through nights with no broody and no supplemental heat when it was below freezing for an overnight low. Yours should be fine whatever Momma does.

Cool in sure they will. In in NWArkansas and its only in the 40-60s at night here, depending on the day and how you hold your mouth. It could snow tomorrow and be 80 by Monday....who knows.

 

[minihorse927]

I would not throw them all in together. I always quarantine new birds at least 100ft away for 30 days. After that I introduce them with wire between them so they can see each other but not fight. After 2 or 3 weeks (whenever everyone doesn't seem to care anymore) I pet them together (first time I make sure it is dark so it reduces chances of them fighting). The next morning there is generally harmony in the coop. If there isn't them we try a few more days with the wire.

 

[minihorse927]

I’ve had broody hens totally wean their chicks at three weeks in the heat of summer, I’ve had some go over nine weeks. I’ve had broody hens stop taking care of them during the day but protect them at night. I’ve had broody hens abandon their chicks at night but take care of them during the day. Nobody can tell you when she will wean them or how, but I’ve had six week olds go through nights with no broody and no supplemental heat when it was below freezing for an overnight low. Yours should be fine whatever Momma does.

I have a hen who dumps them off at dark and roosts with the rest of the flock and meets up with them before daylight hits. I figured they wouldn't survive the night but they did just fine. This was mid summer though so it was no lower than 75 or 80 outside.

 

[Newmamabear]

Absolutely, you will see a very marked difference in how the chicks thrive when they are raised by a hen. She keeps them cleaner than even the best human chicken mama and teaches them so much about dangers and foods. I was amazed myself

 

[Lomasi]

I had a hen go broody in August and put an assortment 10 of eggs under her, which she successfully hatched. They are 6 weeks old now. They hatched and grew in a small pen inside the coop so all the birds know them. 2 weeks ago I decided to let her take them outside into the world if she wanted.The door was open for days before she took them out. I was nervous but I figured she's the chicken not me! It's been educational to watch her do what she does best. Most days now they are the first ones down the gang plank in the morning. She takes them into the tall grass and weeds and they just disappear till they reappear again later. She takes them further out eveyday, while the rest of my small flock goes all over our property. In excited to see them all together soon.

 

[Newmamabear]

Yes, isn't it just the neatest thing to watch them do thier thing! Watching them catch bugs is hilarious. I'm considering starting a cricket farm in a spare aquarium just for the sole purpose of raising some entertaining protein. Toss them in the DL and pull up a chair

There's different bugs that some people are trying but I think crickets are probably the ones that are the most manageable on the level of grossness.

 

[Lomasi]

Yes. I like watching the hen catch things not for herself but for her babies

 

[camp4409]

Thank you! I guess I was just freaking out a bit cause this is all new to me. I know chickens have raised their young forever without human help. I just know that where I live its common to have -20" temps in the dead of winter. There are people who loose their adult hens so I am very concerned for these little ones with winter very close.
Thanks again!1