I have just noticed where my missing chicken has been, there are 4 chicks in the paddock across the

[chick4chooks]

I am new to baby chicks, and have a concern for their safety as i have 4 cats. The mother hen is still sitting on another 10 eggs and the chicks are around 2 - 3 days old. . They exposed to wind, rain and sheep. What shall i do with them and when is it safe to move them. . I am worried for them because the cats. . .How do i feed them etc. . Or should i put them somewhere safe with there mother ? Thanks in advance

 

[Percheron chick]

I would move momma, the chicks and the eggs first thing somewhere safe. Chicks are hors d'oeuvres for a cat and at 3 days they are ready to get out and do some exploring making them vulnerable. Even just a large box will work for the first week while you come up with a better plan.

 

[lazy gardener]

I agree that Mama, babes and eggs should be moved ASAP. However, when you do so, Mama may abandon the eggs. However, at this late stage, that may happen anyways, b/c she will need to go take care of those babies, and her instincts demand that it's prudent to sacrifice the eggs in order to tend the chicks. Can you beg, borrow or buy an incubator, or set up a make shift way to heat the remaining eggs? They'll need to be heated to 100*, no higher, and have a good source of humidity in order to hatch. If they hatch within the next day or two, you might then be able to slip them under Mama at night. Please read the articles in the learning center about how to manage a broody hen. Also: Hatching Eggs 101.