Keep silkie chicks with mom?? Help soon please

[Emmahannah]

We have had 2 chicks hatch so far this morning. The hen is in a chicken tractor with another hen and 1 rooster. I am owrried that the rooster will hurt them and really they may be able to get out through the chicken.

The last time she hatched chicks we moved them into a tub and 2 of them ended up getting tangled in her feathers and died from either being trampled or strangled. I don't want this to happen again. So what are your recommendations? We have a brooder we could put mom and the chicks into or should I take the chicks and put them in the brooder by themselves?

Thanks!

 

[silkymom1986]

I would move mom and the chicks to a brooder. Good luck!

 

[Emmahannah]

Thanks. Her first one hatched yesterday so I'll see how many we have when I get home and move them once I'm sure she is done.

Anyone out there ever had the chicks get caught up in the hens feathers and die? I thought it must have been because they were cold. We did not put a light in for them and it was cold outside.

 

[silkymom1986]

No I've never had one get caught in the feathers and die, I had one die under my broody but it looked like it had problems hatching and only got half way out of the shell, by the time my husband and I noticed it was too late to save it. Hopefully someone will come along that's had the same problem and can be more helpful. Anymore hatch yet?

 

[Debbi]

If you have chicken wire on the tractor, the chicks will walk right through it! They are so tiny when first hatched, and up until about 3 weeks they can still squeeze through it. I just had 4 hens and a roo all hatch out 17 chicks! Three of them died, looked like they got sat on or stepped on. This was my first broody experience, and it was too much for one of the hens with all the chicks and the others, and she started to freak out and went on a killing spree. I had to remove some of the chicks, and her as well. Left 7 chicks in with the other 3 hens and the roo, and all is still fine. My roo, and this is not to say all roos, is exceptional with the chicks. When the chicks all got scared or cold, they all ran to Daddy, and would stand between his legs and under is fanned wings. It was very touching to me. He would also call them for food and goodies he found, just like he does for the hens.

I would suggest, especially if she is a first time broody, to bring her to a place of her own, so she can quietly adjust to motherhood. Make sure the brooder is large enough for her and them to be comfortable and not crowded. You won't need a light at this time of the year, Mom will keep them warm. Keep an eye on her to see she is doing her job, and all should be fine. I never had any of the chicks get tangled in the feathers, and I've got some pretty fluffy butts out there! Good luck, and be sure to watch them, it is very entertaining.

 

[Julielle]

I am new to this whole hatching thing. One of my silkie eggs hatched this morning. This is the first clutch for both me and the hen. The breader that I got my Silkies from originally told me that Silkies are great at being broody but are not the best moms. I'd never heard that before. She told me that the Silkie Mom will sit the chicks to death. I don't know whether I should pull the chick and put it under a heat lamp or just let her take care of it. I put water and chick starter food next to the nest but don't know if I should do anything else. What did you end up doing with yours?