Mama Hen Questions: losing feathers and not letting us touch the chicks

[ninanonna]

Thirteen days ago, our broody hen hatched three chicks. In the last couple of days, I've noticed that she's been shedding lots of feathers in the brooding box, and they're scattered and strewn all around. Is this common? She doesn't look bedraggled or like she's molting. In fact, aside from being a bit puffed up, she looks pretty normal. The picture below shows some of the feathers.

My other question is: how can we get to hold these chicks? If we pick one up , the mama freaks out and comes at us. Any time we try to touch one of the chicks, she puffs up and runs interference. I'm afraid they're going to be completely skittish around humans.

 

[Happy Chooks]

She's plucking feathers from her breast to line the nest and keep the chicks warm. Totally normal.

It is a broodies job to protect her babies, and that means even from you. She is teaching them. Broody raised chicks are much more alert to predators and become independent at a faster rate. Let her do what she knows how to do. You will have time to win them over with treats later when she weans them. Enjoy watching her with them, there is nothing sweeter than a mama hen and her chicks. You can bring her some treats that she can feed to the chicks, like small pieces of bread. When they are older, carrot greens, chard or spinach works well.

 

[ninanonna]

Thanks, Happy Chooks. At least she lets me near them, especially when I have treats.

So, I guess I'll just enjoy them with my eyes and not my hands.