Mama Hen Leaving Babies?

[ChickenDoDoDo]

I have a mama hen with 2 babies, they are about 2-3 weeks old.

Mama has started roosting high up at night leaving the babies alone and they cry and cry...

She is super protective of them during the day but I worry they must be cold at night alone? Should I bring them in to the brooder? Will it stress the mama hen out? I feel for the babies cause I can hear them crying for her as soon as I walk up to the coop.

 

[canne50]

Maybe setting roost bars in-between your existing ones to help them get up?
Put in a low roost they can practic on?

 

[ChickenDoDoDo]

Maybe setting roost bars in-between your existing ones to help them get up?
Put in a low roost they can practic on?

Will they be too cold? They arent feathered at all yet, maybe a few feathers in the wings

 

[Yardmom]

What are your temperatures at night? 3 week olds normally have enough feathers to handle temperatures that are comfortable for humans. A box for them to huddle in could help.

 

[ChickenDoDoDo]

Around 18 Celcius (64 f) not too chilly.

We recently got them off of someone, I believe they are closer to the 2 week stage, but I have some sebrights inside in my brooder that are the same age that are almost completely feathered.

I really havent had a chance to pick up these babies and check them out as the mama is super protective and chases you down haha.

 

[bobbi-j]

She knows what she’s doing. One of these nights you’ll go out and find them roosting with her.

 

[canne50]

That will be motivation to get up higher on the roost.