Momma came out of bushes with 5 Chicks. What now?

[jenniesue22]

Hello, I thought I had lost a hen, but today she appeared with 5 chicks. What do I do now? Do I separate her with her chicks, or leave them with the flock?
Thanks you for your time.

 

[Alaskan]

Hello, I thought I had lost a hen, but today she appeared with 5 chicks. What do I do now? Do I separate her with her chicks, or leave them with the flock?
Thanks you for your time.

View attachment 2370763

Clearly her mom instincts are good... she will probably do great with the flock.

Watch for an hour to make sure you don't have problems with any flock mates....

 

[MarkJr]

In my opinion she brought them out to the flock, keep them together.
Around roost time, keep an especially good eye on her. Chances are she will go somewhere other than the coop. Have a ground nest ready in the coop in case you have to move her.

 

[swampfox440]

That is good news !

 

[Alaskan]

In my opinion she brought them out to the flock, keep them together.
Around roost time, keep an especially good eye on her. Chances are she will go somewhere other than the coop. Have a ground nest ready in the coop in case you have to move her.

Oh, that is a good point to watch closely at roosting.

I have heard of some hens that actually jump up and perch on the roost, abandoning the chicks on the ground...

None of my broodies have done that... so i think that is rare, but a good thing to watch for.

 

[MarkJr]

Oh, that is a good point to watch closely at roosting.

I have heard of some hens that actually jump up and perch on the roost, abandoning the chicks on the ground...

None of my broodies have done that... so i think that is rare, but a good thing to watch for.

My broody has always marched them right back to where they were hatched. If it’s soiled, she squawks and complains for 20 minutes before choosing next nest box over. I make sure to clean it when that happens. Next day she goes right back to the original box.
So far 6 weeks is the longest she’s had them on the ground (there are 12 of them). Shortest was 3.5 (only 3 that batch)

 

[TwoCrows]

Adorable!

 

[jenniesue22]

In my opinion she brought them out to the flock, keep them together.
Around roost time, keep an especially good eye on her. Chances are she will go somewhere other than the coop. Have a ground nest ready in the coop in case you have to move her.

I do have a ground nest available. I hope she chooses to bring them in the coop. She did a very good job of hiding them out there somewhere. But yes, she did bring them to the flock and I watched he chase other hens away, but allowed the hens she was raised with to stay near. I think she does know more about being a chicken mom than I do. lol...

 

[MarkJr]

I do have a ground nest available. I hope she chooses to bring them in the coop. She did a very good job of hiding them out there somewhere. But yes, she did bring them to the flock and I watched he chase other hens away, but allowed the hens she was raised with to stay near. I think she does know more about being a chicken mom than I do. lol...

That’s why I suggest watching before everyone winds down. She will lead you to her roosting spot. If it’s in the wild, wait till full dark and catch chicks first. Get momma yelling the chicks scatter. Easier to grab the littles and then deal with ticked off momma.

 

[21hens-incharge]

I love that.

Surprise I didn't get killed and oh by the way I brought my kids home!

You are getting good advice already so I will leave you with a hearty CONGRATULATIONS on the surprise flock members. They are adorable!