Need advice about broody hen and chicks

[hannahsflock]

If she isn't showing any interest in the chicks, I would suggest putting her back with the rest of the flock. You should be able to just put her straight back, they might have a little tiff as they sort out pecking order again, but other than that they should be fine.

If she has gone back to laying eggs and has pretty much abandoned her babies, I doubt she would be desperate after separating them from her. She could start to attack the babies if she's really decided she's done with them.

Same with the orphaned chick, there might be a couple of pecks on the head when you introduce it to his/her siblings, but chickens sort themselves out in the end. As the momma has rejected that specific baby, I wouldn't introduce the chick to the others until you have made the decision to separate the hen.

As for the broody questions, I don't really have an answer. All I can say is that a hen decides when/if she wants to go broody, and either way, it's pretty hard to change her mind

 

[BlueEyes51]

Yes, I am very frustrated, and sad, LofMc.

There was no blood on the chicks... they are just fine. Thank goodness.

And, there is no indication anywhere around the enclosure showing where a predator even attempted to dig under the enclosure. And, it is really solid and heavy.

I did not dig any hardware cloth into the ground... yet. Right now the ground is too hard to dig into... totally baked from several weeks of 95 to 105 temps we have been having here. I planned to move it this fall, after momma and chicks move out, when the ground is softer. I will set it in a permanent spot and will reenforce the bottom.

I am wondering now if she injured herself on the metal door of the cat carrier (it's now removed), or the metal feeder, while she was being frantic about the predator outside the cage.

Momma is eating and drinking. I sat for awhile in front of the enclosure and watched them. She seems to be feeing a little better now also.

Until she heals tho, I don't think it would be wise to put her back in with the hens... I am sure they would immediately start pecking her... especially the two meanies.

I am still thinking it is a skunk, but could have been a raccoon, or possum last night also. I have seen all three on my property recently. The only burrowing critters here, that I am aware of, are gophers. There was no sign of burrowing when something got in the temporary enclosure... whatever it was, it dug slightly under the chicken wire and pulled it up... hole was about 4 to 6 inches round... just big enough for the small skunk I saw one night just before I lost the 3 chicks.

As for a camera, not possible on my income. As it was, I had to build the enclosure out of scrap materials I had and some donated wood.

I will take a photo of my new enclosure and post it as soon as I can. Thanks.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

Good to hear chicks are fine.

Yes, then I agree, it was likely momma becoming frantic from the predator outside and banging herself on things inside the coop....and you've removed anything she could hurt herself on, so that is good.

So since your ground is so hard, that may rule out burrowing predators.

dug under and "pulled it up"....I'm thinking raccoon. They have very nimble fingers and will harass chickens inside as they work the coop. They will pull chickens heads out through wire, and totally capable of reaching in to grab a chick and take it away.

Skunk or raccoon, no matter, you've got to trap this beast as it will continue to return until it has finished off the chicks and momma.

I bet if you ask around you'll find someone with a Hovart live trap or some live trap device. Your county ag might even have some to borrow.

Check your ordinances to see what is legal to do with what...sometimes raccoon are considered fur bearing animals (they are in winter here in Oregon), however most ordinances allow an owner to trap and relocate or dispose of a predator who is harming livestock. (Be aware some places, like my state, make it illegal to relocate some predators, you have to euthanize.)

Good luck catching the critter. Predator and Pests forum would be a good one to help with that.

LofMc

 

[BlueEyes51]

The hole was too small for the raccoon that hangs out around here. And the chicks that disappeared, slept too far from that area to just grab. The skunk I saw the night before, was the perfect size to get in. Someone said a Norway rat might have done it... they are big and can do the same thing, and we have tons of rats around here. However, they would have gone after the grain too, and rats usually leave poop... neither happened. I dusted the ground with some DE one night to see what was getting into it and the paw prints in the DE were far apart and small like the skunks.

I would have to call the county trapper to trap the animals... if I was to do that. And, I do know around here that they will not relocate the animals, they are PTS... hate to see that happen. It's really a moot point tho, I live in the Sierra Foothills, smack dab in the middle of tons of different predators; fox, bobcats, mountain lions, raccoons, possums, hawks, skunks, snakes, coyotes, etc. There is no way to trap them all. It's their territory anyway, that we moved into... not the other way around. When one is trapped, another moves in. Bottom line, I really have to live with them and take precautions as best as I can.

I will check out the Predator and Pests forum and see what they say tho. More for prevention... and not eliminating the predators... maybe bugs tho!

btw... momma is doing much better now... just hot. Unfortunately, it's 105 outside right now... again!
Ugh!

 

[Lady of McCamley]

With your location and situation...2 words....electric wire.

Predators and Pests can instruct how.

LofMc

 

[BlueEyes51]

With your location and situation...2 words....electric wire.

Predators and Pests can instruct how.

LofMc

Yes! You are absolutely right!

I have the controller, actually 2 of them, to do that but still need to get wire and insulators and the amount I will need will be a lot and costly.

My hens and roo have a huge lawn I gave them as pasture and also have a separate attached pen... with all fencing for them at 6 to 8 feet tall... with a heavy duty critter proof coop. And now this new broody/chick enclosure too.

This place is a whole lot of work and it's just me doing most all of it. I also haven't been well for awhile now so it is making things take so much longer to get things done around here... have had no energy... especially with this heat on top of it. I have to do things in the morning or late afternoon/evening when it's cooler... impossible to work outside during the day. Just glad I was able to get the enclosure done yesterday.

I will put electric fence on my to do list... first priority tho, is finish getting the property cleaned up and brush cut back for the-already-here fire season!

 

[Abriana]

I have a hen who goes broody all the time, and this is the way I do it: put the mom back out, and put the chicks in a run. The other hens will be able to see them, but can't get to them. When you feel that it is time to put them out, do so for as long as you can sit at the chickens and supervise. After a while, put them out for longer periods of time even when you aren't around. Eventually, put them out full time. The hens will peck at them, because they are putting the chicks in their rightful place, unfortunately for them, at the bottom of the pecking order. The pecks shouldn't be vicious, they shouldn't draw blood, the hens shouldn't chase the chicks to peck at them. If you see any of these behaviors, the chicks are not ready to come out of the run. Put them in for a few more days, then start over afresh with just having them out while supervised. Normal pecking is pecking away from food (make sure the chicks are getting food. You can hide a feeder so that they can eat in peace. Usually after all the hens are gone, they chicks will eat from the feeder, or will pick up the bits from the ground), pecking away from dustbathing holes, pecking if the chick comes too close to a hen. The chicks will usually keep to themselves, run around together, and generally be BFFs until they are fully integrated and have a higher place in the pecking order. This can take a while though! But i think it is fun to watch my three pullets run around together, sit in the tree all lined up preening, or resting together in a clump of tall grass. Always watch and don't leave them out if you aren't fully sure they can take care of themselves and won't get hurt or even killed. Good luck!

 

[Abriana]

With your location and situation...2 words....electric wire.

Predators and Pests can instruct how.

LofMc

I agree without a shadow of doubt with Lady of McCamley. An electric fence has kept my flock free from any deaths for a year and almost a half. I have only had one death in my flock due to a predator, an inexperianced pullet was picked up by a hawk. I see the raccoons and foxes, but have had no problems. I don't think many chicken owners can say they have had only one predator attack in their entire chicken flock-but that is all due to the fence and i do pray for my chickens

 

[BlueEyes51]

Update: Well, there was no problems last night with any critters harassing the hen and chicks! However, I did make sure last night that all side were securely covered with a white tarp and some shade cloth. I plan to continue doing that from now on.

Momma hen is doing just great this morning! Other than pacing and trying to escape out of the enclosure, she is looking and acting like her ol' self again! Sooo, I made a decision to put her back in with the rest of the hens tonight after dark... I really think she is ready.

The little orphan chick I plan to put in with the other two chicks tonight also. All three chicks are pretty much fully feathered now and should be able to stay warm at night now. Or, do you think I should put her in tomorrow when it is warmer when I can keep an eye on them? Would love to know your thoughts on this.

I am just glad that everyone is doing okay.

 

[Lady of McCamley]

So glad to hear no incidents last night. (Still put out traps though.)

You've been fairly warm at night, right? Didn't you say in the 60's?

She should be feathered and hardened to at least 70-75 degrees by now. It probably isn't that much of a jump for her.

Generally it is better to place at night, so they wake up friends.

But...there is the advantage to placing in the day when it is warmer and you can check on her in case the others get snotty and begin to really harass her....but it also may mean they will harass her more.

If you aren't that worried about a power struggle between the chicks (sizes and temperaments), place when it is convenient for you.

If there is plenty of room for all of them, and separate feed/water so that nobody can be pushed permanently away, after a couple of days of fluttering, they should settle down to just the normal juvenile skirmishes.

Good luck
LofMc