Need advice on recently orphaned chicks

[fmorlando1]

Hi I’m just starting my second year of raising chickens and was fortunate enough to have a broody hen hatch out seven chicks. They are now a little over four weeks old and have been happily living with mama in a private coop and predator proof run, but I would let them free range during the day when the weather was nice. This morning mama was attacked by a stray cat and severely injured to a point where I thought it best to put her down. I made it out in time to chase the cat away before she got to the chicks. Question is are the 4 1/2 week old chicks old enough to stay outside in there coop and predator proof run or do I need to move them to a brooder . I’ll not be letting them free range again until they’re much older now that they don’t have mama to fend for them. This is the first predator attack I’ve had. I have a rooster with the main clock who does an excellent job of protecting the hens. The rest of my flock are in the main coop and run and free range in a different area. I know they’re too young to be integrated with them so would appreciate advice on what to do. Anything else I should be aware of and taking care of them now that they are on their own? Thanks Frank

 

[swamphiker]

Hi Frank, I'm sorry to hear about your poor hen! What's the temperature like where you live and how close to fully-feathered are the chicks?

 

[fmorlando1]

Hi Frank, I'm sorry to hear about your poor hen! What's the temperature like where you live and how close to fully-feathered are the chicks?

They seem pretty feathered out to me, but I’m not a expert. Here’s a picture I just took of them. They have been very hearty with mama staying out in weather that was much colder than I thought they should but from everything I’ve read trust mama to do the right thing. I live in Iowa and the extended forecast for this coming week has highs in the 70s and 80s with lows in the high 50s. Thank you for your help.

 

[fmorlando1]

They seem pretty feathered out to me, but I’m not a expert. Here’s a picture I just took of them. They have been very hearty with mama staying out in weather that was much colder than I thought they should but from everything I’ve read trust mama to do the right thing. I live in Iowa and the extended forecast for this coming week has highs in the 70s and 80s with lows in the high 50s. Thank you for your help.

Also for the past week I have not seen them sitting under her during the day, they’ve been very active. Not sure what they do at night in there a little coop.

 

[swamphiker]

I agree, they look pretty well-feathered! I am also not an expert, but I would bet they will do okay on their own at night as long as they have a safe and draft-free coop to sleep in since they can huddle together. One thing you could do is provide them with a "huddle box", essentially a cardboard box big enough for them to fit inside and snuggle up together to help them retain heat. If you are nervous about it, you could also bring them inside at night for a week or so.

Best of luck! Please let us know how they do

 

[fmorlando1]

I agree, they look pretty well-feathered! I am also not an expert, but I would bet they will do okay on their own at night as long as they have a safe and draft-free coop to sleep in since they can huddle together. One thing you could do is provide them with a "huddle box", essentially a cardboard box big enough for them to fit inside and snuggle up together to help them retain heat. If you are nervous about it, you could also bring them inside at night for a week or so.

Best of luck! Please let us know how they do

Thanks, I like the idea of the huddle box I’ll watch them close and see how they do.

 

[rosemarythyme]

Temperature wise your chicks are fine out in their coop and run. Sorry you lost mama hen but at least the chicks are old enough to manage without her providing body heat.

 

[Jaime918]

I agree, they look pretty well-feathered! I am also not an expert, but I would bet they will do okay on their own at night as long as they have a safe and draft-free coop to sleep in since they can huddle together. One thing you could do is provide them with a "huddle box", essentially a cardboard box big enough for them to fit inside and snuggle up together to help them retain heat. If you are nervous about it, you could also bring them inside at night for a week or so.

Best of luck! Please let us know how they do

I like how you put that "huddle box". When my bantams first went out they didn't and still don't like to roost so I took a Rubbermaid tub on its side screwed into a diy stand with a little bedding inside, and they used it until they got comfortable, and now all sleep together on top of the tub unless they don't like the weather at night then they sleep in their tub.

 

[fmorlando1]

Thanks, I like the idea of the huddle box I’ll watch them close and see how they

 

[fmorlando1]

Chicks did great last night thanks all for the advice.