help!!...chicken-dumb owner just discovered new chicks

[megans meadow]

ok...hen is NOT in the coop...shes behind my propane tank...sitting on 19 eggs....at least 1 hatched yesterday.....i have a box inside with heat lamp, water, food and sawdust.....what now?...she gonna freak if i grab them?...do i wait?...do i bring her inside with em?...argggggggggggg

 

[renge]

why dont you let the hen care for them?? it's a loveley dight, it helps the chicks grow healthy and no extra concerns in the night! i think there is no better mother then a hen

 

[Higins00]

If she is not in a secure place I would move her and the chicks. If it's night time I think you would have a better chance. Move her to a nice nest bring the chicks/eggs and keep it dark so she won't go any where but on the nest. Can you put her in the garage if not back in her coop?

 

[danielle82]

If where she is at is secure from dogs etc and if there is a cover for rain I'd leave her right where she is at. If its not secure from dogs etc and not sheltered I'd move her after the chicks have hatched. Whenever my hens go broody (and if they stick to it) they make fabulous mothers as far as keeping the babies dry, fed and watered.

 

[MissJenny]

It may not be raining now, but it will eventually -- possums and raccoons may not be drooling over them now, but they will eventually. As the other posters suggested, move Mama and eggs and babies in the dark. Put them in a crate or a cage, a box and carry them someplace safe. You might want to move Mama and eggs/babies separately so she doesn't inadvertently step on somebody whilst she is moved.

And pictures. Once she has been safely moved, we require pictures ♥

Jenny

 

[fshinggrl]

I agree.. let her do her job. Make sure she is safe!

 

[olliecatch]

Hi....

Our broody hen was sitting on 6 eggs from various other hens. During our cold spell and snow on the ground they hatched. We did move her and babies out in a little house and pen inside the main run. She was a happy camper.

She is a great mother and they were just fine. When they got cold they would go hide under her and she would sit right down over them.

They are now 5 weeks old and have been out with all the other chickens for over 3 weeks. They run around all the big girls but always run back to mama.

Maybe when they all hatch you might want to move them so predators cant get to them and they can be protected.

Let mother nature take its course and they will be fine.

Lynn

 

[megans meadow]

Quote:
Well, one of the problems is that the hen is....moody...I got her fairly recently and shes not too sure of me yet....Do i still move her as well, and how?..Also...the coop is not entirly secure yet. Will i need to worry about them falling out of the nest?...can I bring them inside without the mother?