Please remind me again that Mama knows best????

[nuttyredhead]

I went out into the coop this morning to open it up. It is around 8 degrees here. I through some scratch in the coop for the chickens and my Mama who is in the big wire dog cage went nuts, got up ran to the door of the cage. I opened it up and thought well she wont leave the babies!!! Out she ran....After a few minutes i put her back in and all the little ones (3 days) ran under her.

Was it just the temptation of the scratch? I tried giving her some out of my hand but she was throwing so much of it on the floor and the babies were trying to eat it. Not sure thats a good idea! Or does she just know that they will be ok for a few minutes?

Help!!!!

 

[Judy]

Mine were out and about for much of the day at 2 and 3 days old in 15 degree weather. Several times I have seen mama squat to offer to let the chicks warm up under her and they were too busy to bother. You'd be surprised how much cold even the babies tolerate. And any food or treat mama gets, she has the babies eat. I've noticed the babies sometimes check out and reject some larger pieces.

In case you hadn't thought of it, though, they do need small grit. I just make sure they get some of the fine stuff at the bottom of the grit bag.

Mama really does know best!

 

[nuttyredhead]

Thanks ddawn! I was worried for a few minutes thinking she was abandoning them! But she settled back down with them quick enough!

Is that the bird grit or bird sand that is being talked about in one of the other posts? I will pick some up today. I never gave it to my other chicks, but they were inside i was to much of a weiny to give them treats till they were older!

Is it best to put it in there food or sprinkle some in the coop and let them find it?

 

[ChookHappy]

Yea that's too funny. I came on to search about the same thing. The hen doesn't seem to want to sit much anymore for the chicks. Four of them have at least a day under their belt but one hatched this morning and she seems cold.