Need advice about broody hen and chicks

[BlueEyes51]

Thanks, LofMc, for your input and suggestions.

Can't do traps tho... as we discussed earlier. I will be installing electric wire tho when I can put together the funds to buy enough wire and insulators... the chicken 'pasture' area and pen is a rather large area and I may also have to run two wires to cover all bases.

The orphan is actually bigger than one of the hen's chicks... she/he is a little dynamo, and the other chick is about the same size as the orphan but really mellow, so I am thinking it will be okay. I need to take care of some gardening right there where the enclosure is so I will do that tomorrow so I can keep an eye on them.

The food and water containers are huge with plenty of room for a bunch of chicks, so there should be no problem with any of them pushing anyone out of the way. I will watch that too tho. All three like to scratch and I usually put out a little of the feed and meal worms on the ground for them to scratch around for also.

And yes, the over night temps are suppose to be in the 60s and 70s for the next ten days, and daytime highs will be in the low 90s to 100. I think it will work.

Will let you know how it all turns out tomorrow. Again, thanks!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Yes...you are right...forgot our earlier conversation...you would have to trap the whole of nature.

Bolt things down as tight as you can and save the pennies for that wire. (Totally get pinching chicken pennies....I've had to do my hobby on a shoestring too. Love re-purposing!)

Sounds like a good plan for the third chick. Those 3 should be just fine with only normal juvenile butting contests.

LofMc

 

[Lady of McCamley]

...and you are so welcome. That's what BYC is here for. To help one another.
LofMc

 

[BlueEyes51]

Sorry it took so long to get back with an update... Had to focus on getting my property more fire safe.

Momma hen is doing just fine integrating back into the flock, however, the two she was raised with are not taking her back as the threesome they once were tho. Momma pretty much is off to herself most of the time now, but things seem to be pretty much okay. Of course, they are still all working out the pecking order again, but it's not bad.

Little orphan Annie is doing okay too. The two others, little Dynamo, and Buffy, have pretty much accepted her. Seems little Dynamo is the dominate of the three, and Buffy continues to be the mellow one.

Since Annie did not have the great momma to show her around, she is still working out how to do things... but, she's learning fast.

Just by the way they look, and interact, I am betting that Buffy and Annie are pullets, and I have the sad feeling Dynamo is going to be a rooster... I am hoping not. I could be totally wrong tho about all three tho... only time will tell.

Thank you LofMc, and everyone else, for all the support and advice. I do so appreciate it!