Looking for advice! I gave my broody hen day old chicks to raise..

[HawaiiCoyote]

I'm glad it went smoothly for you! I have used this method of swapping eggs for chicks a few times and it worked great

 

[ChristinaBee]

She looks like she is a natural momma hen! I agree this could be a Picture of the Week for sure

Thanks!! They’re all doing very well! She took them outside after 4 days and they love it!

 

[ChristinaBee]

I'm glad it went smoothly for you! I have used this method of swapping eggs for chicks a few times and it worked great

Yes this is literally the best way to raise baby chicks! It’s so much easier then dealing with a brooder.

 

[ChristinaBee]

The chicks have been with my orpington for almost 4 weeks now and she’s been a great mom. She just started laying eggs again. I noticed she mostly hang out with the big chickens during the day, but sleeps with the babies at night. How long do the mothers normally take care of the chicks? Can I put the chicks on the roost at night so they stop sleeping in the nest box?

 

[rosemarythyme]

The chicks have been with my orpington for almost 4 weeks now and she’s been a great mom. She just started laying eggs again. I noticed she mostly hang out with the big chickens during the day, but sleeps with the babies at night. How long do the mothers normally take care of the chicks? Can I put the chicks on the roost at night so they stop sleeping in the nest box?

She's at the age where she might be thinking about weaning them. It can be as soon as 3 weeks, or up to a few months. Since she's laying again it'll probably sooner rather than later.

Once she begins roosting they should want to follow her up there as well.

 

[ChristinaBee]

She's at the age where she might be thinking about weaning them. It can be as soon as 3 weeks, or up to a few months. Since she's laying again it'll probably sooner rather than later.

Once she begins roosting they should want to follow her up there as well.

Thank you!!

 

[gimmie birdies]

I have a hen that I was giving older chicks to in the evening. During the day, I have been moving the chicks to a day play area, and the hen is now off the nest and hangs out by the play area-clucking.

 

[hokievol]

I'm about to embark on this same experiment, giving my broody Maran some chicks to foster. My question is this: the box she likes to brood in is about 5 1/2' off the ground. If I put baby chicks in there, will they fall out? Do I need to put a board up to keep them from tottling out?

 

[ChristinaBee]

I'm about to embark on this same experiment, giving my broody Maran some chicks to foster. My question is this: the box she likes to brood in is about 5 1/2' off the ground. If I put baby chicks in there, will they fall out? Do I need to put a board up to keep them from tottling out?

I would put something up or maybe try to move her lower. My nest boxes are 6” from the ground and on a few occasions the babies fell off the ledge. The first two days the chicks didn’t do much aside from stay under the hen, but on the third day they started exploring.

 

[hokievol]

If they're on the ground in the coop with the others, will the others bother them?