Need help- all girls but one killed, chicks on the way

[nutmeg2356]

Hi everyone!

This has been a terrible week due to a coyote(s) killing all but one of my ladies. She’s obviously freaked out, and is constantly running around calling for her friends.

I ordered more chicks and they will ship Monday.

My question is, how early can I introduce them? I think even if they’re babies, she will be so relieved to have other chickens with her... it’s completely heartbreaking hearing her call out for the others and I would really like to try and comfort her

Obviously I don’t want to endanger the chicks, and will wait if this seems like a bad idea, I just wasn’t sure if anyone had been in this situation before, and if so how you handled it.

 

[SueT]

Oh no, well at least she survived! Can you keep them safe from coyotes now? You could set up the brooder where she can see them but not touch them and monitor her reaction. Some hens have been known to immediately take to babies, others have tried to kill them.
Good luck, let us know how it goes....

 

[coltgrizzz]

I would advise to keep them apart until the chicks have feathers on them and then slowly introduce (but don’t forget to wean them off the heat lamp!). I would occasionally take mine outside in their cage when they were babies so my hens could get early exposure.

 

[rosemarythyme]

You could just put the brooder outdoors with her, so she sees the chicks from the start. Easier integration that way IMO. You'll need to make sure you have a coyote proof run if you want to do that, so definitely look at fixing up any breeches in your current run, or if you were free ranging, go on lockdown for a while, as the coyote will be back.

 

[Folly's place]

Yes, raise them out there, in view but separated by fencing, so she's involved but they are safe. Have you tightened up your defenses? Keep everyone safe!
Mary