Newbie Chicken Mother

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Alno

Alno

Hatching
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Jun 9, 2015
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Hello All,

I love Backyard Chickens & decided to get on board. I live in Australia
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I have two Hyline Reds & two Chinese Silkies. One of my silkies was very broody so the decision was made to get her some day old chicks. She has two & they were placed yesterday evening. She has them under her so I think she has accepted them BUT she hasn't got off her nest. Is this normal or is there something I should do?
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She may feel she hasn't hatched enough chicks yet. Was she sitting on an empty nest before you gave her the chicks? Usually after a hatch is completed the mother takes the chicks out to show them where food and water is at. You may have to do this for them. Mama would tap her beak on the container to show them where. You can do that with your finger.

I haven't heard of this behavior before. Hopefully other greeters coming on will have something to add to this. If we are approaching summer, you are about to start winter, maybe she thinks they wont be warm enough to come out with her. Is she indoors in a coop?

Mama also needs to be made to leave the nest to eat and drink herself and poo. You may have to put her out 2 -3 times a day, for her own good. Some stubborn broodies will literally starve themselves.
 
My silkie did the same thing. We had to keep her in a small cage with no room to nest so it would break her broodiness. We kept her in their for half a day and she went to care for her chicks.
 
Thanks for the Warm Welcome
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We ended up buying a heat lamp & looking after them ourselves. Silly Marshmallow (our Silkie).

Off to get some more on Saturday
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