Missing hen returns with chicks - HELP!

[DrellieFarm]

Hi everyone. I am a new member and have gotten a lot of helpful information off this site, so I start this topic with a big Thank You! Now I could use your help. I came home from town today to find a "missing" hen and what appears to be 10-12 baby chicks! What do I do now? I have always had older layer hens and never really wanted to raise chicks so I have no idea whatsoever on how to handle this. I do feel a bit like a gramma now though - lol!

It seems obvious that I need to build a safe place for them, so I could use some suggestions on what type of temporary coop to build, as well as how to get them in it. The momma is a black Australorp so she is shy and doesn't take food from my hand like my other ones. I should be able to watch them and find out where they are nesting so if I have to catch mom I might be able to do it.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!
Rhonda

 

[Roxannemc]

Rhonda
Welcome to the site. There is tons of good info on here.Did yo try the Learning Center?

How cute. 12 babies!
Just wanted to answer so you had someone reading this post on this holiday.I dont have an answer myself however as i havent raised any chicks with a hen as MOM only by brooder after buying them a day ro 2 old. But yes iam sure you do need to get them in away from preditors.someplace A plastic dog crate Hardware cloth and some 2x2s for a little run?.

 

[RonC]

First congratulations and

.

A secure run and coop for the new family of course. I would let mom raise them, she know's best. Chick starter won't hurt mom and that's what the little ones should have. I suppose grower would work but it's probably about the same price.You don't want them eating layer feed, too much calcium. A waterer that the little ones can't drown in is necessary. Don't worry about the heat lamp, mom comes with a built in heater. Just a draft free coop.

Shouldn't be hard to get her to go in the new run/coop with some food. Just make sure she knows it's there and if there is another feeder deny her access to it.

 

[TallChickMagnet]

 

[Pyrates4Poultry]

If you can find where shes nesting you may try a rubbermaid tub, gather as much nesting material from her site as you can and place the tub where her nest was. She may take right to it, then at night, pick it up, momma, babies and all and carry it to whatever enclosure you decide on. Good luck. For a really temporary set up, you can use an old fireplace screen. I'm using one now around my compost pile (emptied and being used as an infirmary for a turkey with a leg injury). That and a little hunk of wire and it'll do til better arrangements can be made! Good luck with your foundlings. That's kinda neat.

 

[DrellieFarm]

Thank you all for the warm welcome and the great advice, especially on a holiday! It has been a comedy of errors today but as I tuck the birdies in for the night, all is well. I appreciate the suggestion on using a tub with some of the existing bedding. That was a great idea, but alas, I never found the nest. After a bit of cornering and attacks by the blackberries she chose to run under, I just let them be. As I went out to close the coop for the night, there she was, lying by the door with all the babies. Scooped them up and they are snug in the little coop/run. Thank you also for the advice about a waterer the chicks can't drown in - I would have never even thought about that. I hope you all have a great holiday evening and this pooped chicken grandma is gunna have a glass of wine and call it a wild, crazy and successful night.

Rhonda