- Mar 13, 2011
- 5
- 0
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Hello,
I've been a long time 'searcher' and 'reader' of this site and I have learned so much about chickens thanks to all of you! But now I need HELP!
I had a broody Delaware hen and after brooding for 29 days I picked up some chicks at my local feed store to give to her. She accepted them gladly (in fact I've never seen her so happy... each chick I put in she clucked at and immediately stuffed under her wing... so cute!!!).
She has accepted all 5 babies, BUT all the chicks do is sit under her. They don't wander out to eat or drink (the food and water are about 8 inches from where Mom is sitting... it isn't too far a trek!). The ambient temperature is about 48 at night and 65 during the day, so I totally understand they need to stay warm, but the only time they go out to eat and drink are when I pull Mom out. The new family is located in a large dog kennel (about 12 square feet) within my regular chicken coop. They are locked in, mainly to keep the other hens out (they are SOOOO mean!)
I gave the chicks to Mama Delaware 48 hours ago and at that time they were about 48 hours old, having been shipped to CA from New Mexico.
The real issue is that come Monday I won't be able to pull Mom out 5 times a day to let the little ones eat.
I have absolutely NO experience with giving a broody hen babies, so for anyone who has had a mom chicken raise the babies while it's still cold out please let me know if it is normal or not for the babies to not eat much.
Thanks for any help!
I've been a long time 'searcher' and 'reader' of this site and I have learned so much about chickens thanks to all of you! But now I need HELP!
I had a broody Delaware hen and after brooding for 29 days I picked up some chicks at my local feed store to give to her. She accepted them gladly (in fact I've never seen her so happy... each chick I put in she clucked at and immediately stuffed under her wing... so cute!!!).
She has accepted all 5 babies, BUT all the chicks do is sit under her. They don't wander out to eat or drink (the food and water are about 8 inches from where Mom is sitting... it isn't too far a trek!). The ambient temperature is about 48 at night and 65 during the day, so I totally understand they need to stay warm, but the only time they go out to eat and drink are when I pull Mom out. The new family is located in a large dog kennel (about 12 square feet) within my regular chicken coop. They are locked in, mainly to keep the other hens out (they are SOOOO mean!)
I gave the chicks to Mama Delaware 48 hours ago and at that time they were about 48 hours old, having been shipped to CA from New Mexico.
The real issue is that come Monday I won't be able to pull Mom out 5 times a day to let the little ones eat.
I have absolutely NO experience with giving a broody hen babies, so for anyone who has had a mom chicken raise the babies while it's still cold out please let me know if it is normal or not for the babies to not eat much.
Thanks for any help!