My Broody Hen hatched a Chick! What should I do?

[Harun]

Before I talk about the incident today, I want to clarify that I’m raising my store-bought chicks at home while the adult flock is at my dad’s workplace. My hen named Matteo has been broody for a few weeks and actually hatched a single baby chick. My only question is, what should I do with it and her? My father suggested we bring Matteo and her baby at our house and have her stay with it while furthermore nurturing the baby chick with the correct food, nutrition, etc. Is there a better option though? Should I just let Matteo and the chick stay at the workplace? Should I only bring the chick home? I’m very excited but also nervous when it comes to raising the chick. I don’t know if I should trust my hen with it or trust myself to take care of it. What do you think?

 

[DobieLover]

Before I talk about the incident today, I want to clarify that I’m raising my store-bought chicks at home while the adult flock is at my dad’s workplace. My hen named Matteo has been broody for a few weeks and actually hatched a single baby chick. My only question is, what should I do with it and her? My father suggested we bring Matteo and her baby at our house and have her stay with it while furthermore nurturing the baby chick with the correct food, nutrition, etc. Is there a better option though? Should I just let Matteo and the chick stay at the workplace? Should I only bring the chick home? I’m very excited but also nervous when it comes to raising the chick. I don’t know if I should trust my hen with it or trust myself to take care of it. What do you think?

I'd leave her where she is, switch the entire flock over to chick starter, Flock Raiser or All Flock, put a separate container of oyster shell out for the active layers and let her raise the chick.

 

[sourland]

I'd trust the hen - they've been doing it for eons.

 

[Harun]

I'd leave her where she is, switch the entire flock over to chick starter, Flock Raiser or All Flock, put a separate container of oyster shell out for the active layers and let her raise the chick.

Switch my entire adult flock’s feed to starter? It’s not too much protein for them?
Scratch that, I just looked up Flock Raiser feed and will look into getting it.

 

[DobieLover]

Switch my entire adult flock’s feed to starter?

Yes

It’s not too much protein for them?

No.

I've had my flock on 18-20% protein since the beginning. I've never feed layer feed.

 

[Harun]

I've had my flock on 18-20% protein since the beginning. I've never feed layer feed.

That’s interesting.

 

[Harun]

I don’t know if my hen’s cut out to be a mom. I separated her from the flock(just her and her baby) and she ended she completely disregarded her baby and went back to the coop. I’m confused on what to do next. Are Black Star hens good mothers? Because that’s her breed.

 

[Harun]

I'd trust the hen - they've been doing it for eons.

My hen is not in the right mindset right now. I separated her and the chick from the flock, keeping them in a box together. She jumped out of it and just left to go in one of the egg baskets in the coop, neglecting the chick. I’m thinking of just taking it home and raising it myself. I mean, she never even comes out of the coop to eat, I have to force her out and feed her myself. If she continues to starve, so will the baby.

 

[DobieLover]

My hen is not in the right mindset right now. I separated her and the chick from the flock, keeping them in a box together. She jumped out of it and just left to go in one of the egg baskets in the coop, neglecting the chick. I’m thinking of just taking it home and raising it myself. I mean, she never even comes out of the coop to eat, I have to force her out and feed her myself. If she continues to starve, so will the baby.

When did the chick hatch? How many eggs remained unhatched? Did she leave the nest with the chick on her own? Why did you separate her from the flock?

 

[cmom]

If the mother wants to be in a regular nest box put the chick with her and see how she reacts but keep checking it and see how it goes. You can always take the chick out and take it and get a small bag of chick starter for it. Good luck and have fun...