Is outdoor shelter ok for hen and chicks?

[chuckun]

Hello, Wonderful, Experienced Community!

I could use some sage advice!

I have a broody hen who successfully adopted four hatchery chicks last night after dark. We were so happy with how seamless it was - as soon as we slipped them under her, all was peaceful and quiet. Then this morning, one of the chicks was dead from cold, right in front of my hen's box. She had got out of the nesting box somehow and couldn't get back in. Maybe the 2-inch lip was too high? I added more padding so the lip is flush with the floor just in case that was the problem. My hen won't come out of that box and the other three are ok under her somewhere. I know they will outgrow the box but I don't want to remove them now that they are comfortably using it.

But I wonder how will they eat and drink water? I have everything there near the box, in an elevated, secure, outdoor coop, but will the babies venture out and be able to eat? I had the chicks in an indoor brooder yesterday before placing them under my hen, but I don't have a similar set up for mama and chicks. Do I need to do it? Temperatures here are in the 50s-60s. I just assumed a brooder and heat lamp were only needed for motherless chicks. I wish I could get my heat lamp up to the coop, but that's not a possibility.

I lost no chicks when I raised my first and only flock of 4 a few years ago. I wanted my frequently broody BO to be a mother in time for Mother's Day! But losing a chick was a terrible blow because I feel like I should have prevented it. I don't want to lose any more!

Any advice? Thanks for reading!

 

[silkie1472]

I, personally, would have a different setup for the mother and her chicks. This is not a necessity, but will lower the chance of another hen killing the chicks by a lot. The chicks should have their own water/food bowl — the mother can use it too. There is no need for a heat lamp, either.

 

[Rasputin66]

You could build a ramp to the nesting box, or you could move the hen and chicks into another setup at night. No, they definitely don't need a heat lamp. Chickens go out in the snow and stuff.

 

[aliciaFarmer]

In my experience, leaving them where they are is best. Mama will keep them warm and protect them and teach them how to eat or where to get the food, Etc. I've hatched out more than my fair share of chicks under moms and haven't had any problem with them integrating with the rest of the flock. I do make sure to keep a few hiding spaces for babies just in case but mamas are great at ferocious protection of their babies. I'm sorry you lost one. That's so sad and never easy.

 

[chuckun]

Thank you for your kind and helpful replies. Of the three left I saw two looking healthy in her feathers this morning; I haven't seen the third yet. I have only one other hen and they do share the coop but she is usually in the run and gets to range, so my broody and her chicks do have privacy. I just checked and one of the chicks was on top of the mama and then only partially covered herself back up so I put her underneath again so she doesn't get cold. Shouldn't the hen be nudging them back under her? Here are some photos.

Does she look like she's mothering them?

 

[elmoflim]

Thank you for your kind and helpful replies. Of the three left I saw two looking healthy in her feathers this morning; I haven't seen the third yet. I have only one other hen and they do share the coop but she is usually in the run and gets to range, so my broody and her chicks do have privacy. I just checked and one of the chicks was on top of the mama and then only partially covered herself back up so I put her underneath again so she doesn't get cold. Shouldn't the hen be nudging them back under her? Here are some photos. View attachment 1768216 View attachment 1768217 Does she look like she's mothering them?

It’s totally normal for them to play on momma it’s boring to stay on her all day long also it’s healthy for them to have brief time in the outside temps. The height should be fine I’ve had chicks in the same set up. It probably fell out at night and neither hen or chick could see well enough to get the chick back inside the nest. Chickens have bad eyesight in the dark(easiest time to move chickens.) I’m sorry for your loss and hopefully the rest will be fine. Also hens will kill chicks that will not make it to prevent others from getting sick from said chick

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

Beautiful hen!! And...sweet little chicks.

 

[WhoDatChick]

I did this same thing with my broody Silkie.. she took four babies right away.. and I would keep the food and water right in front of mama.. I also lost one.. but then replaced it a week later without issue.. I have a thread on here if you want to check it out..
Broody Silkie turned adoptive mother...

 

[chuckun]

Thank you! The chick had not been pecked, which is some consolation. I am checking on them constantly! I really appreciate hearing your responses and reassurance.

I did this same thing with my broody Silkie.. she took four babies right away.. and I would keep the food and water right in front of mama.. I also lost one.. but then replaced it a week later without issue.. I have a thread on here if you want to check it out..
Broody Silkie turned adoptive mother...

Hi, WhoDAtChick, I would love to see your thread! It did not come up in my searches. Thank you.

 

[WhoDatChick]

Thank you! The chick had not been pecked, which is some consolation. I am checking on them constantly! I really appreciate hearing your responses and reassurance.


Hi, WhoDAtChick, I would love to see your thread! It did not come up in my searches. Thank you.

I’ll write something on it and bring it to the top of this forum...