Mama is dying, what do we do for her chicks?

[amccurdy]

We live on an island where wild chickens and roosters run freely (so no one feeds or 'owns' them). There are about three mamas on our property right now, each with chicks of different ages. One of the moms is dying and her little 3 week old chicks are confused and don't know what to do.

How do we help the chicks find a surrogate mother? The latest report is that they started following a rooster... we are not sure if he will take care of them. Some food has been left out for them with the hopes that it will attract some of the other hens and that they will get adopted.

Does anyone know if roosters/hens are likely to adopt the chicks of another hen? What can we do to make sure that they are raised by a chicken (to show them the ways of the chickens)?

Thanks!!

 

[Kittymomma]

If you can catch them and brood them yourself they'll have a pretty good chance, otherwise nature will take it's course. Hens (with a few exceptions) are not likely to adopt chicks that old, so if their momma dies they'll be on their own and aren't really old enough for that. Sorry, wish I had better news.