I've raised baby chicks numerous times but this was the first time I've had mamma hatched chicks. Yesterday was the first day she brought them out-about a week old. I watched them all day; how she kept them together, called them to her when they encountered a barrier, stood off the other hens if they got too close. Her instincts seemed perfect and last night she didn't appear frantic about the coop or ramp-in fact she didn't try to coax them in there at all. She just made a little dust hole and gathered them under her and settled in so I let nature take its course.
This morning her 6 babies were right where she left them but she was gone. Feathers in the run and outside but no mamma. I caught, with difficulty, the chicks and put them in the coop, but I'm afraid the worst has happened. She bravely led the predator away from her babies but lost her life.
So sad and I'm so angry with myself for not trying to force her in last night. I didn't want to upset her by chasing her chicks around last night. Don't know if I could have gotten them in, but I guess I should have tried.
Will any other hen take them over, do you think? I have two Australorps broody right now, but with no eggs. Does anyone think one of them would take the chicks in?
Just heart breaking and a lesson learned the very hard way.
