Letting mom raise her chicks...

[Tracygdot]

I just came home and found this!!

I can't raise them right now. I need to let her do it. She's currently in a coop that she can have all to herself. I pulled the big waterer and put out the chick size feeder and waterer. Am I horrible for letting nature just take it's course? They're a few feet up in a nesting box. Ugh. I'm going to feel horrible if something happens to them.

 

[sourland]

Hens have been raising chicks since the beginning of time. Nothing wrong with letting her do her thing.

 

[Anon112]

I've now let three hens raise chicks, with the only fatality being my fault and not the mama hen's.

I suppose my only comment is that if you have something like a treadle feeder that could trap a chick, maybe think about steps to keep them safe.

But in terms of the other chickens, the chicks getting around, etc, all three of my hen moms did a fantastic job.

 

[Tracygdot]

I've now let three hens raise chicks, with the only fatality being my fault and not the mama hen's.

I suppose my only comment is that if you have something like a treadle feeder that could trap a chick, maybe think about steps to keep them safe.

But in terms of the other chickens, the chicks getting around, etc, all three of my hen moms did a fantastic job.

Thank you.

 

[hammyanne]

I find it much more convenient to let my hen raise the chicks! Like sourland said, the (good) hen will know when to move the babies from the coop to the run to the roost, etc. if it’s her first time raising chicks I’d keep an eye on her just in case, but otherwise nature’s got it handled ◡̈

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Relax! Mom's got this. She'll take the chicks out of the nest in a day or two and make a new spot for them on the floor. She'll protect them and keep them safe and warm. What kind of food is available? If it's a layer feed I suggest you replace it with something like a grower or starter feed that does not contain calcium, it's suitable for your older birds as well. Just provide calcium for them in the form of oyster shell in a separate dish. All will be well.

We've raised chicks in the house for years. Once I saw how easy it is to let Mama do it, I'll never go back! I just hope I'll always be blessed with a broody hen when I need one!

 

[PrettyBirdRocky]

Our first Mama hatched in December- winter here. About 2ft up in nest box. That night they all jumped down to settle under the light i had set up for "heat"(fluorescent) (it kept the chill off--she kept them warm regardless). She was an awesome Mama. Good luck! Its so cute to see a mama and chicks

 

[Tracygdot]

I find it much more convenient to let my hen raise the chicks! Like sourland said, the (good) hen will know when to move the babies from the coop to the run to the roost, etc. if it’s her first time raising chicks I’d keep an eye on her just in case, but otherwise nature’s got it handled ◡̈

It is. She's only 7 months old. Hoping she does well. I just can't be home enough right now.

 

[Tracygdot]

Relax! Mom's got this. She'll take the chicks out of the nest in a day or two and make a new spot for them on the floor. She'll protect them and keep them safe and warm. What kind of food is available? If it's a layer feed I suggest you replace it with something like a grower or starter feed that does not contain calcium, it's suitable for your older birds as well. Just provide calcium for them in the form of oyster shell in a separate dish. All will be well.

We've raised chicks in the house for years. Once I saw how easy it is to let Mama do it, I'll never go back! I just hope I'll always be blessed with a broody hen when I need one!

Thankfully I still have some starter feed. I guess since it's so much work raising them in the brooder, tracking heat, keeping shavings out of the water, etc. that it seems so strange to not do anything. I just can't be home enough. Thank you.

 

[Anon112]

What kind of food is available? If it's a layer feed I suggest you replace it with something like a grower or starter feed that does not contain calcium, it's suitable for your older birds as well. Just provide calcium for them in the form of oyster shell in a separate dish. All will be well.

That's really good advice. (Though if there's a rooster in the flock---which it seems like there must be---everyone should probably be getting starter/grower/maintainer with oyster shell on the side anyway).

Good luck with the chicks, they are super cute! And if there's nowhere great to roost on the ground, you might create a little lean-to to protect from wind/rain.

As many others have said, I was shocked at how much better it felt letting a mama hen raise the chicks instead of doing it myself. And they are already integrated into the flock, so no worries about that element of it.