letting a broody hen hatch and care for chicks... questions from a first timer

[mix-of-chix]

I tried searching threads but the search function is not loading correctly.

Our wheaten maran hen is hatching out eggs for the first time. The roo is a silkie bantam. The eggs are from the wheaten maran hen and two olive egger hens. Would there be any issue genetically for this not to work?

We noticed signs of rats around the coop. There has not been any destruction or loss of chickens due to rats. Will this be an issue with the baby chicks if mother hen is caring for them? We are keeping the broody hen and chicks in the coop with the two other hens and one rooster.

I'm trying to make this as simple and natural as possible with the least amount of human intervention. If I must move the broody hen and chicks to a different coop then I will but if I don't need to, I'd prefer that. ... My question is about supplying feed to the flock once the chicks hatch. Right now, we are using layer feed and they free range during the day. Should I switch all the chickens to a starter feed?

Thanks for your advice

 

[featheredplanets]

There should be no issues genetically.

Definitely get on top of the rodent problem. Several rats can easily overpower a brooding hen for her chicks, never mind harming her in the process.

There could be issues with the other hens picking on the chicks, especially if you haven’t had chicks before. They’ll also crowd on top of your broody hen to lay their eggs in her nest, so be prepared for broken eggs and always mark your main eggs with pen or pencil. She’ll nest on the floor once they hatch as they won’t be able to get to the nest box. Many brood within the flock with no issues, but sometimes it’s just better to be safe than sorry, and just keep a wide cautious eye open. You’ll need to move the whole flock onto a non medicated chick starter or all flock. Provide oyster shell for the layers.

 

[Cragg Klefor]

I would move her ... I had a horrible experience with eggs on day 19... lots of blood on a rooster and it wasn't his. Only 2 eggs left out of 7 and the mother hen pushed them out and stayed sitting on the ground. The eggs did not survive. I'll always separate in future. Agree ref food: unmedicated chick starter to all or All flock, and supply oyster grit with both.

 

[mix-of-chix]

hey thanks, this is great advice Feathered and Cragg. Sorry to hear about your 7 eggs Cragg... it might end up being my experience as well.

Will I need to supplement with teramycin drops for the chicks since they won't get medicated feed or are they much less likely to need antibiotics because I'm not raising them in a brooder?

I think I'm going to try to let her brood and rear the chicks in the current coop since it's the first time. Sort of a trial process. She's the dominant hen of a small flock. if it's not going well, I'll move her/chicks as suggested or change my process the next time to intervene sooner.