Light Sussex mama not protective

[cmom]

That is one of the breeds I have never had. I would make a place for the chicks to go into that the other birds can't get to so they have a safe place. I have dealt with broody's in the past and have had other birds chase the chicks but once they discovered the cage with a small opening where the larger birds couldn't get to them they would scramble into their safe place. I put some of their feed and water in it too with a heat source Such as a heating pad covered. You will find a lot of good information here Good luck with your birds and chicks and have fun...

 

[cmom]

I put the heating pad in the cage. Often times the actual heating pad is made of a plastic material that comes with a fabric cover. I don't want the fabric cover to get poopy so I put an old towel or something (old T-shirt) that I don't care so much about over it that I can either wash out or throw away. The chicks need warmth too. Again good luck...

 

[DobieLover]

Will try that.

Thanks all for your helpful advices, one question remain here, why mama is not protecting the chicks after day one, i mean the aggression she had on first day is nowhere now? and is Light sussex a reliable broody by nature in general?

She doesn't feel a threat from the other hens. Other hens will peck the chicks. It may be a curiosity peck or a corrective peck. Both will be permitted by the mother of she trusts the flock mate delivering it.
The breed doesn't have that much to do with being a good mother or not.
Most are good mothers.
Some are not so good.
A few are horrible.

 

[cmom]

I put the heating pad in the cage. Often times the actual heating pad is made of a plastic material that comes with a fabric cover. I don't want the fabric cover to get poopy so I put an old towel or something (old T-shirt) that I don't care so much about over it that I can either wash out or throw away. The chicks need warmth too. Again good luck...

Most of the broody's have been good mothers. I have used a cage for the chicks because some of the other hens were picking on the chicks, one in particular and I was afraid she might kill them. I put them in the cage first so they would know it was a warm safe place and after that if they needed to get away they went in on their own, and again good luck and have fun...

 

[chrissynemetz]

Welcome to BYC! Best of luck with your mama and chicks.

 

[Grandmas Coop]