My Serama chicks by surrogate mother 6 weeks later

[sherrenae]

Hello again everyone! The Serama babies will be 6 weeks old tomorrow. The surrogate mama hen (possibly Dutch Bantam) was a terrific mama teaching them everything except how and where to roost. I built them a corner with 3 roosting poles at different levels complete with a table underneath topped with newspaper to catch their poop. Nobody uses it. I couldn't find Mama 2 days ago at roost time. She happened to be on the very top 4x4 roof beam roosting over the light fixture eyeing them. Of course, they were both screaming because they couldn't find her. She finally spoke. So, the biggest chick (and please, please don't tell me it is a rooster in the making) found her and actually (bless its heart) flew way up there to her. So, the smaller chick is really screaming because it is all alone. This one is very insecure yet while the bigger one has always been very inquisitive. Eventually both chicks slept in the bottom cabinet where they were raised. Mama slept at the roof.
Yesterday morning when I went to feed them, mama is pacing back and forth at the door. So I opened the back window on the shed/coop and let her out in the attached run I built. The babies stayed inside. All is well. Today I went out and she pecked the smaller one on the head and went back out in the run. When she comes back inside the coop, the babies run as fast as they can to the corner. She runs them out of the dust bath if she chooses to use it. If she wants to eat, she runs them from the food. If she wants to primp up and down in front of the mirror, she runs them away. As long as she is in the run or roosting, everything is fine. Well, Lo and Behold, I found 3 eggs this afternoon. I guess she is through with the babies. The smaller one, I am pretty sure is a hen, really needs her but both are now scared of her. Please tell me both are HENS.... if you remember, I live in a town with no chickens at all....

 

[sherrenae]

….and please tell me everything will be alright as they grow up.

 

[MillersFarm]

sorry, but with that much redness in his comb i can confidently say that that is 100% a Cockerel..

The other looks like a pullet~

 

[NNYchick]

My serama hen weaned my little Silkie chick at 6 weeks, chick called for her a few nights as she gets up on the roost but it can’t get that high but has now settled to sleep with the Silkies. I think mama should know what’s she is doing. If your concern about night temperatures and she’s not roosting with them you could bring them in at night,I’ve never had serama chicks only adult so I know the temperature requirements to give you advice.
Is that all three in the last picture at the waterer, I think you have 2 little cockerels, at 6 weeks old pullets won’t have any red to their comb until closer to time to lay about 6 months.

 

[MillersFarm]

My serama hen weaned my little Silkie chick at 6 weeks, chick called for her a few nights as she gets up on the roost but it can’t get that high but has now settled to sleep with the Silkies. I think mama should know what’s she is doing. If your concern about night temperatures and she’s not roosting with them you could bring them in at night,I’ve never had serama chicks only adult so I know the temperature requirements to give you advice.
Is that all three in the last picture at the waterer, I think you have 2 little cockerels, at 6 weeks old pullets won’t have any red to their comb until closer to time to lay about 6 months.

I think there's only two in that pic, Caught me off guard too but it's just a mirror in the background

 

[sherrenae]

sorry, but with that much redness in his comb i can confidently say that that is 100% a Cockerel..

The other looks like a pullet~

NO, NO, NO....…… I handpicked him because he jumped on my finger.....Drats. Hope he is a quiet little one. Thank you.

 

[sherrenae]

My serama hen weaned my little Silkie chick at 6 weeks, chick called for her a few nights as she gets up on the roost but it can’t get that high but has now settled to sleep with the Silkies. I think mama should know what’s she is doing. If your concern about night temperatures and she’s not roosting with them you could bring them in at night,I’ve never had serama chicks only adult so I know the temperature requirements to give you advice.
Is that all three in the last picture at the waterer, I think you have 2 little cockerels, at 6 weeks old pullets won’t have any red to their comb until closer to time to lay about 6 months.

I actually have 2 mirrors in the coop. One long one from the back of my door and a smaller one behind the waterer. They love to look at themselves. The temps here in NC are finally up to 60s and 70s. So I am not worried about that.

 

[sherrenae]

She pestered me by being broody for over a year. I finally snuck her in some babies. Now she is just being nasty to them. Reading through others problems, I guess this is their way. Maybe they will all become friends...….. Thank you all for your help. It would be funny to see this little rooster bossing mama around. hahaha

 

[NNYchick]

Now I see the mirror. It’s not just seramas, most hens start pushing them away at this age. I think what we interpret as mean is their instinct for working out pecking order and flock management.

 

[sherrenae]

Now I see the mirror. It’s not just seramas, most hens start pushing them away at this age. I think what we interpret as mean is their instinct for working out pecking order and flock management.

Thank you. This is my first adventure with Chickens. One more thing off my bucket list.