Mother hen taking 4 day chicks out for a stroll

[alessadry]

So mama hen today decided to take her 4-day chicks out of the coop for a stroll. She's good keeping an eye on them. But I am starting to worry. They have been out all day and this means the chicks haven't eaten for all this time. They have water out, but we can't leave food out as it attracts ants and other birds and the other chickens will likely eat it.

Do chicks raised naturally with their mother eat less often than chicks raised in a brooder? When I raised chicks in the brooder they were eating all day long.

She is showing them how to scratch but I doubt they find anything to eat other than maybe bugs. They will find grit for sure since we're in Arizona and all our land is made of small pebbles and all our chickens grew up using it as grit.

In the morning it seems like they eat a good amount of the fermented baby chick food put out for them. Hubby told me he saw mother hen protecting this food from other hens which is what we wanted so it's all for the chicks and mom.

I am also wondering if they are having a hard time going in the coop. I saw mother hen show them how to go up the ramp, but they didn't seem to get it. Then, she gave up and has been spending time with them by the tree. If I see they haven't managed to go in the coop by 6 I will have to help them but I hope not to upset mama hen in doing so.

 

[bobbi-j]

So mama hen today decided to take her 4-day chicks out of the coop for a stroll. She's good keeping an eye on them. But I am starting to worry. They have been out all day and this means the chicks haven't eaten for all this time. They have water out, but we can't leave food out as it attracts ants and other birds and the other chickens will likely eat it.

Do chicks raised naturally with their mother eat less often than chicks raised in a brooder? When I raised chicks in the brooder they were eating all day long.

She is showing them how to scratch but I doubt they find anything to eat other than maybe bugs. They will find grit for sure since we're in Arizona and all our land is made of small pebbles and all our chickens grew up using it as grit.

In the morning it seems like they eat a good amount of the fermented baby chick food put out for them. Hubby told me he saw mother hen protecting this food from other hens which is what we wanted so it's all for the chicks and mom.

I am also wondering if they are having a hard time going in the coop. I saw mother hen show them how to go up the ramp, but they didn't seem to get it. Then, she gave up and has been spending time with them by the tree. If I see they haven't managed to go in the coop by 6 I will have to help them but I hope not to upset mama hen in doing so.

She's not letting them starve. They will be fine. They are probably eating bugs and having a good time! Last spring my broody had her chicks out of the nest and out of the coop in 24 hours. They were fine.

 

[Folly's place]

Mama will be very annoyed if you have to move them, but they can't stay outside overnight! I keep mine is a little longer, so they can get around better. Every day they are stronger! I don't have ramps, rather steps. Could you add bricks or scrap wood to make little steps for them? Mary

 

[Folly's place]

Make sure that you have plenty of feeders and waterers, so there are places for all the groups of birds to get food and water. I feed Flock Raiser to everyone, so there's no concern about chick starter vs. layer feed. Mary

 

[alessadry]

Mama will be very annoyed if you have to move them, but they can't stay outside overnight! I keep mine is a little longer, so they can get around better. Every day they are stronger! I don't have ramps, rather steps. Could you add bricks or scrap wood to make little steps for them? Mary

It got late and mama hen was clucking inside the coop to encourage them up but they couldn't make the tall step at the end of the ramp. Hubby gently lifted them up and mama hen luckily didn't seem upset, actually she seemed happy that she could finally be re-inited and get some rest. I guess this will be hubby's good deed of the evening for a little while!

 

[varidgerunner]

I hen rear probably a coup[le hundred chicks a year. My hens do around three broods per year. I have seen chicks three days old scratching around in snow. No problems. Mom keeps them warm when they need it, they have her oil on them to help waterproof them, and they learn to regulate their temperature from the start. I rarely put out feed or water for chicks, Mom will find them something better than your food. They will get all of their moisture needs here from dew on the grass for the first week or so. I put out water and feed, they ignore it, I just make sure there isn't anything a chick could drown in.

 

[chickens really]

When I let Momma out with Chicks I either sprinkle starter on the ground or place a small Dog dish of starter so Momma takes the Chicks for a feed....A bit gets eaten by the other Chickens but it never is wasted....