My Brooding Hen

[ChickenKeeper42]

Hello,my hen is brooding.What should I do?Shes been brooding since the begining of the month and I thought she was going to burst because she was so big.I bought fertilized eggs but what should I do when the chicks hatch?Do I move it or do I leave it with my hen?I've had experience with chicks before but the hens I have I raised them from the chick form.I didnt hatch them I bought them as chicks.I've seen from others that you should leave the chicks with the hen but I'm not sure what to do.My hens are very friendly and they are Buff Orpington hens.Even in her broody phase my hen is friendly.Should I handle my 5 new chicks alot after they hatch?Thats what I did with my hens when they were chicks.If you can please reply to me with info.Thanks in advance.






-ChickenKeeper42

 

[Judy]

I like to let my mama hen raise the chicks in with the flock. Just feed everyone chick starter, and have some oyster shell in another container for any hens who need the calcium. Later you can feed everyone flock raiser or grower. Actually, many people never even buy layer feed, they feed only flock raiser so roosters don't get all that calcium and chicks of any age will be fine. She will teach them to eat and drink, keep them warm, and generally take care of everything for you -- and they will be healthier for having been raised b a hen.

Handling to tame them is the same with mama raised chicks as brooder chicks -- if the mama will let you. It may take a little extra patience to get the mama to let you near them, or she may persist in trying to run you off. With a Buff Orp who is already friendly, hopefully this won't be a problem. Good luck!

 

[PrairieChickens]

Seconded. Handle them if you can, which it sounds like you should be able to do, and leave them with the mama and the rest of the flock.

Congratulations!

 

[ChickenKeeper42]

all this info will surely help me! if you can post more info

 

[ChickenKeeper42]

also thanks for the congrat

 

[PrairieChickens]

There's not much else to say. The hen will do most of the work. No need for a heat lamp, no need to integrate the chicks. She'll warm them, show them where the food and water is, protect them from the curiosity of her flock mates, and teach them chicken etiquette.

 

[ChickenKeeper42]

I never knew

 

[ChickenKeeper42]

My baby chickens just hatched 2 days ago and I brought them inside and the mom went crazy hen on me so I took her inside too.

When she knew that she would be with her baby chicks she calmed down.

Now shes walking around in circles with the babies following her.I AM SO HAPPY!Provide more info please.

 

[ChickenKeeper42]

Also if you can tell me anything if one of my chicks turns out to be a rooster.Sadly what happend to my chicks is that one of the 5 eggs rolled out of the nesting box and cracked wide open.the other 2 eggs hatched but died shortly after so i only have 2 chicks.

 

[ChickenKeeper42]

My chickens are doing pretty well though,the mother hen sleeps with them under her wing.The chicks are so adorable.I can fit the one of my 2 baby chickens in 1 hand.