Hens lose their chicks

[ilfordcurly]

I have two hens raising chicks they hatched. One started with 7 chicks, the other with 4. We are now down to 5 and 2. They are in the coop with the other hens and rooster. They free range all day in a large well fenced grassy yard.
I live in a mild climate and its Spring, so not heat required.
A couple of times I have found a chick left behind and cold and I have picked it up and put it back with the hen.
How can I increase my yield? I know I should put the hen in a separate pen. What is the smallest sized pen for a bantam hen and chicks? How long do I keep them in for?
I previously kept a hen the whole time while broody in an aviary and let them out a few days after hatching. Same thing, she lost most of them.

Is this normal? It seems like a lot of waiting and effort for not much return. Any advice is welcome.

 

[Hei 20]

I have two hens raising chicks they hatched. One started with 7 chicks, the other with 4. We are now down to 5 and 2. They are in the coop with the other hens and rooster. They free range all day in a large well fenced grassy yard.
I live in a mild climate and its Spring, so not heat required.
A couple of times I have found a chick left behind and cold and I have picked it up and put it back with the hen.
How can I increase my yield? I know I should put the hen in a separate pen. What is the smallest sized pen for a bantam hen and chicks? How long do I keep them in for?
I previously kept a hen the whole time while broody in an aviary and let them out a few days after hatching. Same thing, she lost most of them.

Is this normal? It seems like a lot of waiting and effort for not much return. Any advice is welcome.

Are you finding the chicks dead somewhere or no trace of them anywhere? It could be that a predator is flying around and taking them for food.
I have seen it with my own eyes here in my area. A chicken and her babies walking around and a big bird came out of nowhere and snatched a baby. It happened so fast that mama hen didn't even have a chance to fight for her chick.

 

[ilfordcurly]

No it is completely enclosed. I am now down to 5 total. Just found one dead in the coop, looked trampled.

 

[Hei 20]

No it is completely enclosed. I am now down to 5 total. Just found one dead in the coop, looked trampled.

I'm sorry for your losses.

 

[Allsfairinloveandbugs]

I separate broody hens as soon as they start setting. Most of the broody pens are 4 x4, so 16 square feet. Some pens are a bit larger, & some a bit smaller. That is enough space for her to eat, drink, poop & take a dust bath. And then when chicks are born, enough space to raise her chicks. The broody pens are completely wrapped in 1/2" hardware cloth to keep snakes, rodents & other critters out, & have roofs to protect against the elements. I dont have a wire apron around bottoms of pens to deter a predator from digging under, ONly because i have guard dogs that keep night predators away. The broody pens DO require extra work and effort on my part, but i go to the extra trouble because i agree with you; losing chicks after so much waiting and effort on part of the hen is no fun either. My setup allows for an almost 100% survival rate for the chicks, & gives the broody hen a safe, secure & stress-free place to raise her chicks.

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

Rats will also pick them off if they can get in the coop.

 

[SulkyBantam]

I also keep them separate from the other chickens.
Have you seen the rooster being aggressive towards the chicks? They can really hurt them.

 

[ilfordcurly]

Thanks everyone. I put the chicks into a separate guinea pig type cage. Found another one missing this morning! It was 5 weeks old.
Something had dug a small hole under the cage so it was a rat after all! I have added wire apron all around so no more missing now.
I have Belgian DUccles really tiny bantams. I am going to make a brooder cage to keep them in until they are 10 weeks old. Its Summer so it can be outside.

 

[ShannonsChimkens]

Glad you figured it out! Bummer you lost another one though.

I just pulled the Ratinator trap out of the run and had my miniature Dachshund take care of two baby thieves.

Rat proofing the place they will be is your best bet for them surviving. The rats seem to get in anywhere and take anything they can.

 

[SulkyBantam]

So sorry you lost another, rats can really be the devil.

Good idea, protect them now at all costs!

PS. I love D'uccles! You are v. lucky...!