Overprotective Mother?

[Miss HennyPenny]

Is there even such a thing?

My broody hatched out 5 chicks on Monday. It is now Saturday and she won't let the chicks leave the nest. Whenever they stray too far from her she growls at them and pecks them back into the nest.
The only time she will come out is to stretch her wings then goes straight back into the nest, grumbling and clucking the whole time.

I don't want to interfere with them if I don't have to. The most I am doing at the moment is sitting with them for 15-20 mins 3 times a day, talk to them and feed mum some greens or a bit of corn so they get used to me being around. But it does seem as though mum is passing on her neurotic tendencies to her chicks!

Should I be concerned yet?

 

[Lacrystol]

Momma is doing her job, do you have a lot of other chickens with her? Sometimes they stay with there babies longer then usual because of fear of them getting hurt by others. I'm sure you are not watching her 24 hours 7 days a week and my guess is she is probably taken those babies out for about 30 minutes maybe even 15 minutes per day and going right back in, one way you can tell is feel on of the babies crops. There crops should be about a dime size, if so, then she isn't staying in the nesting box all day with those babies. LOL

They are getting out sometime to eat, Sounds like she is a very good mommy and sounds like she is doing a very good job..

 

[Miss HennyPenny]

Aw how proud am I ?

I have 5 other chickens and they live peacefully together. They free range all day so are not 'under her feet'.
This is my chicken set up;
I have a large coop that sits in the back of a stable while the broody pen is nearer the front. There are shavings on the floor to scratch around in and straw bales to climb on.
I keep the broody pen closed first thing so the other hens can lay their eggs and have something to eat before going out for the day. Then I close the stable door. Only then can I open the broody pen. So they have food and water in with them. Maybe I should remove it when I open the door so they have to venture out?

I can't free range her until the babies ar bigger as I have cats and dogs wandering around and although the hens are good at seeing them all off I don't want to risk it just in case.

 

[Lacrystol]

Well I don't blame you, curious cats is bad and i'm sure she couldn't take care of all those babies while they are running around. LOL I would keep the food at a distance, then she can show them how to scratch, find, etc. She can show her adulthoood. LOL

 

[Miss HennyPenny]

I know. It's a bit of a military operation but I need to keep everyone happy and safe.
She has somehow already taught them to do the 'chicken dance', (left scratch, right scratch, jump back and look down!) Lol they look soo funny!

I will try keeping the food at a distance and hope the greedy little buggers just can't resist.

Thanks for the advice x

 

[Lacrystol]

Good job, such a good mommy.

 

[Miss HennyPenny]

She is super mum.

I had to use some tough love. I took the food and water out and all the bedding that had food in it yesterday so they HAD to come out. This morning there was a queue to get out!

Also a little bonus for me, mum sat down next to me and called babies over to sit under her. We shared a moment! Lol.