new to chicks advice apprreciated

[Couchie]

Hi, We had some chicks hatch today. I thought they'd look after themselves but I now realize that's not the case. I can't get any chick crumble for at least 12 hours (its been 6 already) and I dont have them in a special room with a special water feeder.

I put fertilized eggs under a broody chook and she seems to want to look after them.

What should I feed them until I get some crumble?

How should I give them water?

Any advice is appreciated

.

 

[DiYMama540]

In the meantime, adult food will work, but you may need to soak it in some water if it's pellets. As for water, a smaller chick size waterer is recommended until they get a little bigger and mobile. If you're letting the broody raise them, she will make sure they get what they need as long as you make it available. Best of luck!

 

[Couchie]

thanks so much. I was hoping broody mum will look after them, at least a bit. Someone told me they will stay under the mother for 24 hours. Mum seems thirsty and hungry but not moving so I am trying an eye dropper thing to get some water to mum and babies if they want it. The egg room is about 1.5 feet from the ground, so hopefully they'll be ok when the do wander. I'm in Australia and it's pretty warm at the moment so hopefully they'll be ok overnight.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Are there more unhatched eggs in the nest?
If you are feeding layer feed, you'll have to switch the whole flock over to starter feed for a while.
Other than providing feed appropriate for growing bodies, the hen will take care of everything else.

 

[Couchie]

Thank you ChickenCanoe for you reply.

There is one unhatched egg that mum doesn't seem to want to leave. It's now been about 18 hours now since the first two hatched. Do you think I should remove the unhatched one?

Also, it is now morning and we will be able to get some starter feed soon. I am thinking of moving mum and the chicks to a smaller triangular prism cage. I will build them a nest and they can live without the other chickens for a few days. Plus the location I am thinking will be a mix of grass and sandy dirt so mum can have a bath - she has many insects on her. Do people think this is a good idea?

It's been great to have BYC forum to go to.

 

[Chickassan]

Give the egg at least 1 more day, they hatch staggered pretty often and no worries she'll leave if it is a dud.
The cage sounds nice, make sure it is secure and out of the direct sun.
As soon as mom looks ready, id go for it.

 

[ChickenCanoe]

Perhaps she detects that it may still hatch. Usually they will abandon a nest when several hatch.

A mother hen is a formidable foe and will protect the chicks from all comers. IMO, they are better off with the flock. If you separate them for too long, introducing the chicks will be harder. By the time they get older if they stay with the flock, they will be accepted as members by the others.

 

[Chickassan]

Im a bad reader!
If you have a flock this broody belongs to then nix the cage, she's got it covered lol!
You could set up a cage with chick sized entries/exits so they can hide while mom does her chicken things.
They may never use it but the option is nice.

Perhaps she detects that it may still hatch. Usually they will abandon a nest when several hatch.

A mother hen is a formidable foe and will protect the chicks from all comers. IMO, they are better off with the flock. If you separate them for too long, introducing the chicks will be harder. By the time they get older if they stay with the flock, they will be accepted as members by the others.

 

[RoosterML]

If the Broody hen has insects (lice) on her you need to get that treated. Not sure what is available down under. If powder/dust you should separate her feathers and get it around her vent underwings/armpit area, and back of neck repeat in 7-10 days.

 

[Couchie]

thanks everyone. I just moved her to the cage - which is plenty big enough and in the shade. I took her and the chicks to where their favorite dust bath place was. However, she didn't have a bath and went to under the trees and the chicks went under her. Her comb and wattle (I think it is called) seemed to have lost a bit of colour. I think this may be due to her not eating, bathing and drinking as much...and seeing perhaps less of the sun. We have been getting her food and water and she seems to be less thirsty and hungry. Thanks RoosterML I will get some treatment for her tomorrow. I think it is a valid point about separating them from the flock. I hadn't read this before doing so. The greedy and always hungry hy-lines would finish all the chick crumble straight away - I think. Plus the raised beds might be a bit high for the chicks to get out. But, I'll let them walk around the cage and in a few days put them back with the flock.