My broody hen is one strict (funny!) mama!!

[BarkerChickens]

Our hen hatched 2 babies a week and a half ago. Her first time. Boy is she strict! She doesn't let them out of the coop until it warms up enough (which is nice) and puts their butts to bed early! When I get home for work, it is still light out and they are in bed. If they get up to wander around, she pecks at them until they get under her.

Tonight, I heard them chirping and went out to see what was going on. She standing at the coop opening growling at them and they immediately stopped and ran up that ramp as quick as their little feet could take them! She nipped them, got in the nest and let them know it is bedtime!! That was an hour ago and the sun is just starting to go down (dusk).

She doesn't kid around! She does this every night....no late nights for these chicks!

 

[Koolduck]

That's too funny! I've been trying to keep my Mom and chicks in their little fenced run and cage in the coop with the others. Today I kicked everyone out to let Mom have some serious coop time with the kids. The wind blew open the coop door and she was out like a shot with the kids! It was in the evening with a storm kicking up so that had to be short lived!....like herding cats that was! Anyway my ? to you as Im a newbie to this Chicken Grandma stuff is, is it OK to allow the kids on the dirt floor of the coop(cleaned daily before they are allowed out of their pen) and outside eatin worms and such at 1 1/2 weeks? They are on NON-medicated Dumor 20% starter. I figured that chickens have been doing their thing for centuries and farmers let them! What do you do?

 

[ChickenMama18]

What an adoreable story! I so wish I could have a roo...and hatch babies...I love reading all the stories like this.

 

[ChickenMama18]

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Good question...I'd like to know. We let our little ones out in a confined area when it was warm but then brought them in just incase because of predators.

 

[BarkerChickens]

We let ours out in the dirt and all. We figure it is natural.

I pay attention to look for any bloody stools or signs of illness, but so far no problems. We had an issue with coccidia with the chicks in the brooder (particularly the two siblings of this mama hen). No clue why the outdoor chicks don't have an issue. Maybe since they are exposed to it from day one, they build an immunity to it quickly. They scratch around and eat in the dirt (even though the feeder is out). Mama hen even takes food out of the bowl and puts it on the ground for them. I figure I will let nature do it's thing and keep a good eye open for any issues. None so far (knock on wood!).

 

[Didelphus]

I love seeing the babies with mama!!
I just had a hen hatch at least 4 chicks. Do ya'll leave mama and chicks in your regular coop or try to put her somewhere safe? I don't have any extra pen space, right now, but I know I probably need to move them to a safer location.
Laura

 

[Koolduck]

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I only have a 10x10 coop. Have 7 adults and now 6 chicks (had 7 but the "Good" dog squeaked the prettiest chick...isnt it always the way!) I dont have anywhere else that is as secure as the coop so....there they all are. One corner has a metal dog crate with a small portable fence with chicken wire cover. That's Mom and babies save zone. Must admit that the others haven't acted ugly with the chicks...even the Roo has been nice! Just going with the flow!

 

[Koolduck]

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I was lucky last year with the inside the house rubbermaid tub brooder, then the tack room rubbermaid horse watertank setup that I did. I cleaned their environment no less than every 3 days so I think that kept the coccidia problems at bay. I think the "a la natural" method does help the chicks get the immunity that they need and read someplace that they end up healthier. Im trying to improve my self by not worrying about everything and sheading the "Profesional Worrier" label...we will see!Keep me posted!

 

[BarkerChickens]

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A few years back, we started out with 6 hens. They had a small coop and run, so when we decided to expand our flock, we had to build a new coop and expand the run. In doing so, we decided to keep the old coop and run, so when we hatched babies, the mama and the chicks could go into that area. When it is not in use, we close up the coop, but the run is opened up, so both areas are used as one big run. It also helps that the chicks will be raised with just a fence between the main flock and them, so hopefully the transition down the road will be easier.

Today, she had them in bed an hour to an hour and a half BEFORE dusk!

She is so funny!!

 

[poultryfan73]

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I have a banty hen that when she hatches them and gets off the nest the next day she will take them out to ear bugs feed greens etc. If your momma takes them out trust her she knows best!