Holy Moly, they seem to be hatching!

[goldeneggtees]

My broody hen's mixed bag of assorted eggs are on day 20 and I see one has started to crack open. Major questions are coming your way…

1. Since I want mom to raise them, what do I feed mom and the babies? I have medicated chick starter for babies and laying pellets for mommy but how do I keep them from eating each other's food?

2. If I let mom and babies free range under supervision because we do have other hens around, do chicks need grit right away?

3. Do I need to provide extra heat source or will she do it herself?

4. How long until I can lot momma hen and babies back in with the other hens.

5. Any chance of a first time, inexperienced gal sexing these chicks?

Any advice or if you can think of anything I've missed, please feel free to respond!

THANKS!

 

[HEChicken]

Congrats!

1. If you can set up an area that the chicks can get to but Mum can't, you can set the chick food there. For example, a box with a door that the chicks can enter and when they go in, the chick starter is in there for them. Otherwise, it won't hurt Mum to eat chick food but isn't good for the chicks to eat layer food, so I'd feed them all the chick starter.

2. It won't hurt to offer the chicks a little grit free choice. However if they are free-ranging, they will most likely find enough for themselves.

3. Mama hen will keep them warm.

4. I hope someone with more experience can answer this one - I can't remember.

5. If they are an assorted bunch of babies, I'd say you'll have to wait until 3-4 weeks and see which of them start developing redder, larger combs. If they were sex-links or Barred Rocks, you could color sex them. Some breeds can be wing sexed at a day old but that doesn't work on all breeds. I've never tried vent sexing so not sure what to look for.

 

[goldeneggtees]

Thanks! HEChicken, I'm really excited. Thanks for the advice! I keep checking on them and have heard peeps already. I'm probably bothering her a bit too much but I can't help myself! I'll let you know how it goes!