Missing chicken from free-range flock just showed up with 10 chicks! Now what do I do?

[Castlemaid]

Well, looks like I didn't have to worry about my missing chicken! My flock free-ranges on acreage, and I have no idea where she has been hiding all this time. I think the chicks may have just hatched and this was their first outing. The rest of the flock was milling about, and they ignored the babies (phew!). Then she disappeared again - very mysterious.

These chickens were pretty feral and independent when I got them with the property I bought. They were pretty much on their own, and it took a while for them to not freak out at the sight of a human. Now they come running when I show up, as it means feeding time - but they don't approach close enough for me to pick them up. I was able to pick one chicken up once - at first she freaked, but then settled down.

Anyways, how do I deal with this new family? I have an extra coop with a fenced-in run that would be perfect for them, but I have no idea how to round up the little gang and get them to move in.

I was cleaning out and fixing up the extra coop as one of my other chickens is setting, and have been collecting eggs for her to hatch, but now I'm not sure if I should get another clutch going - Could the setting momma and the new chicken mom with the babies share a coop and yard, or would that cause issues?

Also, any tips on easy, home-make chick feeders and waterers?

 

[sylviethecochin]

I have an extra coop with a fenced-in run that would be perfect for them, but I have no idea how to round up the little gang and get them to move in.

Best way is to catch them at night, but I don't see why you wouldn't just leave them with the flock. It's much easier to integrate chicks raised with the flock.

Could the setting momma and the new chicken mom with the babies share a coop and yard, or would that cause issues?

It's likely to cause issues. You could try it under close supervision. New broodies and mothers can be fiercely defensive of their nesting places, and new chicks are vulnerable.

Also, any tips on easy, home-make chick feeders and waterers?

The chicks can probably use your adult waterer, depending on what you're using. Mine have a TSC special, which you could replicate pretty easily by getting a medium-sized, shallow pan, gluing a plastic mayonnaise jar to the bottom of it, and cutting a corner out of the jar so that water can flow into the pan. Once the level of water in the pan is high enough to cover the cut piece, air can't enter through the hole, and so no more water will come out.

Again, unless you have a hanging feeder, they can probably use your adult feeder. Mine have a pan in an old grain bin with a hole in the side. Mum can't get in to scoop out feed with her feet, the other chickens can't hog it down, and the chicks eat to their hearts' content. Or you could do as suggested above with the waterer, but cut multiple larger holes so that the chicks can peck out the feed. Any extra should go into the pan, where they'll eat it anyway.

 

[trumpeting_angel]

There's a new thread running right now about homemade feeders/waterers. If you have a feed store near you the chick feeders and canning-jar waterers will set you back about $6 for the both of them.

 

[50-45-1]

I think it is important that the chicks get some chick starter. What do you feed your chickens?
Baby Chicks will eat scratch feed and grains to big for them and sometimes die.
If your chickens free range, broody mom will be catching bugs for them which helps protein wise.
I hope your chicks do ok.
I just put my broody and her 4 chicks back in the coop with the gp last night.
No fighting and all is well.

 

[Castlemaid]

It's super cute to watch the chicks scratch through the grass looking for food, just like mom! The mother is awesome! I do feel that she would be able to look out for the little ones, but I'm in Northern BC - we've been having wind and heavy rain, and I worry about crows, ravens, weasels, and my cats. So I managed to catch all the little ones, and lure mom with a bucket-full of peeping chicks into the new coop. It went a lot smoother than I expected.

I was concerned about what the chicks will eat - I know that outside they have probably a great food buffet that I can't replicate. I crushed up some chicken feed and put it through a colander to get small crumbles and they are eating that up. I've seen them drinking out of the waterer, so water, for now, is not a concern. Thanks for the tip about the canning-jar chick feeder/waterers - just what I want! I'm heading into town shortly (that is like a 55 km one-way trip), and will pick up chick starter and chick feeders and waterers.

They are so stinkin' cute!! I could just watch them all day!

Before momma showed up with her babies, I was saving up eggs for my broody hen to hatch. I put them into her nest yesterday, and she is setting on them no problem. So I have 21 days to come up with a coop solution for her for when her chicks hatch. I'm loving this! Thanks for the help. Will get pictures up eventually.

The Hen with the chicks is an Easter-Egger. I have a couple of roosters that would have mated with her, but I suspect both are mixed-breed birds. Is there a chance that any of the baby chicks will lay colored eggs?

Thanks!

 

[Timothy Menezes]

What are you feeding them? There are many different types of chicken feed used for different purposes. You want mama and babies eating Starter. Keep them away from Layer and Scratch.

And yes the babies have a pretty good chance to lay tinted eggs.

 

[chickens really]

Give Momma starter feed for her and Chicks. She definitely needs it being she was setting. Awesome she returned. Hopefully you gave success with the next hatch too..

 

[Folly's place]

Layer feed would be the wrong thing. If you are feeding everyone an all flock or grower feed, 18% to 20% protein, with separate oyster shell for the laying hens, that's perfect.
Family groups are fun to watch!
Mary

 

[gtaus]

So I managed to catch all the little ones, and lure mom with a bucket-full of peeping chicks into the new coop. It went a lot smoother than I expected.

Sounds like a wonderful experience. Enjoyed reading the thread.

Agree with giving chick starter feed to mom and babies. Also, I was told you should provide #1 chick grit for the little ones (I live on a lake and just used sand). Evidently, little ones can eat some bedding or other food that may require grit to work through their systems. If they are no longer free ranging with mom, you might want to give them some sand or grit.

 

[Henriettamom919]

You've already received great advice so I just wanted to say congrats and AWWW!

I'm glad your missing member wasn't really missing and YAY! on your new family!