I have a Buff Oprhington hen with 2 chicks. The chicks are about 3 weeks old, and all three are in an enclosure in my barn. My question is, should I remove the hen and put the chicks in a brooder, or just let the hen take care of them. I'm afraid to let the hen out of the enclosure with the chicks because of the barn cats, but I feel bad that she's is cooped up all day. Also, any tips on sexing the chicks? The father is a Buff Laced Polish, and one of the chicks is growing a mowhawk already... Mary
for safety sake I'd keep away from the cat...I took my polish outside yesterday in my fenced garden , they were in a wire cage with no bottom so they could get to the grass ...I was sitting with them on "cat watch" and out of nowhere one of my cats dived into the cage actually got her paw inside and was dragging a chick to her before I could get across a distance of about 4 ft to stop her. I had no idea cats could attack that fast, she came under my garden gate (had to have been on her belly) crossed about 6 ft and hit the cage hard. So they find a way to get them . Protect your babies....of course DH (who hates cats anyway) said "i told you no field trips, you cant have anything with those cats".
If you remove mum then you run the risk of her pining and the chicks getting stressed and screaming for her. Why not make a small run so she can see some sun with her chicks? Safe away from the cat and any rats or vermin that may want the chicks that is. I wouldn't split them but make a safe place for her, the chicks will be far happier and stronger under her