Mama hen left chicks in the rain

[Kb0507]

Hi,
I had an australorp hatch out 2 babies 4 weeks ago. She has been a great mother. All of the sudden she seemed to lose interest in them yesterday. She also laid an egg yesterday. This morning she was carrying on and wanting to get of of their pen. I let them out and she took off. A little while later she finally came to check on them, but she wasn't overly concerned. I decided to just let her take them into the main coop (which has a fenced run) because thats where she wanted to be. I checked on everyone all day. They did fine. Mama was doing her thing. Sometimes with the babies, sometimes alone. The peeps seemed a bit confused but were pecking around and checking things out. I have been letting her and the chicks out with the flock for the last 2 weeks so everyone could get acquainted. They all seemed to get along pecking around the run. Well, we had to leave tonight and a really bad rain storm came through. When we got home (which was before dark) I checked on them. All of the chickens were roosting for the night and the poor peeps had been left alone in the run, in the rain. Luckily they had found some cover, but mama had abandoned them. They were so scared and just wanted me to hold them. I scooped them up, put them in their cage, which I had moved into the coop and then put mama in there. She settled down, but they didn't seem to want to go to her now. I put them under her (which she didn't seem to mind) and they settled and are sleeping their now.
My question is what should I do with them? Should I take them and put them in the brooder? Should I let them figure it out themselves? They did know how to get into the coop, I just think they didn't understand what to do. They aren't fully feathered yet. Mama isn't pecking them, so I wonder if I should just put them in the cage with mama at night. Any advise? Thanks

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Sounds like she's weaning them already. I personally wouldn't use her again. I like a mom to take care of the chicks longer. I personally would take over the watch out for them role. At 4 weeks I often move my chicks out to the shed. They quickly learn the routine.

 

[Kb0507]

Sounds like she's weaning them already. I personally wouldn't use her again. I like a mom to take care of the chicks longer. I personally would take over the watch out for them role. At 4 weeks I often move my chicks out to the shed. They quickly learn the routine.

OK, thank you! That's what I thought. This is ours and her first time hatching chicks, so I just wasn't sure. Do you think it's OK to leave them for the night or should I get them now? Also, they are very mild temptered chicks, can I put them in with my 3 - 2 week old chicks in my brooder? They are basically the same size. Thanks for all your help

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

My broody raised chicks peck my brooded chicks who are the same age, so I'm sure you would see the same thing. I would leave them in the coop and just watch out for them for a few weeks. They should be okay for the night. Raining is confusing to most chicks, so their reaction was normal, especially if mom wasn't calling them.

 

[Kb0507]

My broody raised chicks peck my brooded chicks who are the same age, so I'm sure you would see the same thing. I would leave them in the coop and just watch out for them for a few weeks. They should be okay for the night. Raining is confusing to most chicks, so their reaction was normal, especially if mom wasn't calling them.

OK, we will just leave them and see how it goes. Thanks again for helping...

 

[Dr.GarryTTucker]

Interested to see how it turns out keep us posted!

 

[Kb0507]

Update:
So, so far things are going OK. The first night I put mama in with the babies. She settled and seemed fine, but was very ready to be out of there in the morning. During the day, she basically ignored the babies. They did their own things. Sometimes they'd run to her but she never checked on them. They are starting to go in and out of the coop on their own. Last night we had to put them in the coop for bed. We're keeping them locked in their cage at night, since it's what they've known. Mama didn't want any part of being in there with them though, so they slept alone. This morning they seem OK. Ready to get out of the cage and outside. Our flock seems OK with them running around. A few pecks on the head here and there. We live in Florida, so even though they're not fully feathered, I think they are OK at night without mama to cuddle. We're going to keep a good eye on them this week and hopefully everything keeps going smoothly.

 

[Kb0507]

Update again:
OK, I went to check on the babies and mama wouldn't let them near her. They seemed scared of her now. The babies ran straight to me when they saw me and wanted picked up. I decided to let them come have a play date with my smaller peeps. I noticed that the one chick was holding her wing a bit down. After an inspection, it seems to be bothering her, so I'm thinking mama did something. All the chicks are getting along great, so I just moved to 2 from the coop and into the brooder. They seem very happy and relaxed. I guess we tried our best to let them stay, but it didn't work out. Oh well. Here's a pic of all the chicks together. The 2 barred chicks are the 4 week olds from the coop and the other 4 are 2 week olds we hatched.

 

[oldhenlikesdogs]

Oh that's too bad. I definitely wouldn't use that hen again. Many of mine will take care of the chicks until they are adults. I guess you are their mom now.

 

[Kb0507]

Oh that's too bad. I definitely wouldn't use that hen again. Many of mine will take care of the chicks until they are adults. I guess you are their mom now.

Yes, I'm disappointed because up until then, she was such a great mama. Very protective and attentive. Our other australop sat on eggs too but ended up killing 2 babies when they started hatching. That's why we ended up with the 4 chicks in the brooder in the first place. Some of those chicks are Cochins, which I've heard make really good mama's. Maybe when they're big enough, we'll let them give it a go.