Putting chicks under a broody *New pics added on page 4!*

[ChickenMama18]

I wish you had video on your camera too! What a sweet story!!

 

[beckymom3]

I'm in love with that broody! That look on her face, like those were all her babies that she hatched herself! How adorable! I just bought 17 amazing little Silkies (last week) and I can't wait to have some broody mommies!

 

[NicInNC]

When can I put Cloudy and the babies outside for some playtime with me supervising? It's going to be 85 degrees here today and it's gorgeous. I don't know how old the chicks are. They arrived at the feed store yesterday and were "day old chicks".

I'm going to work on making an area just for mom and babies this afternoon in the coop.

 

[suebee]

Quote:
How about now? Mine have been out w/ Mom since 9am and are loving the sun. I think temps over 70 is fine for yours. If they get cold they will get under Momma.

 

[suebee]

Forgot to add...It may be difficult to get Mom to go back inside, so you MAY want to wait until an hour before bed time. She'll have a little time outside with the chicks then take them inside for bed. Sometimes you can't always be there to supervise, especially all day.

 

[NicInNC]

Cloudy and her babies did great outside! The chicks seemed to have a great time running around by mom.

 

[suebee]

Great pics! That waterer looks mighty big for the chicks....does it have marbles in it? I had a chick drown in one like that, as Mom took the chick out before I added the marbles.

 

[NicInNC]

Quote:
No need to worry Suebee! I just put that waterer out there while I was supervising. The one in the brooder is a small one with rocks in it. I've read all the horror stories of chicks drowning so I was aware of that danger.

I'm sorry that you lost one that way.

 

[MissJenny]

OMG -- This story and all these pictures made my day. How adorable!!!! Thanks you so much for sharing this with us. I am so delighted that Cloudy got her own little family. Aren't chickens just the dearest things!

Jenny

 

[NicInNC]

We had a very close call today. I had Cloudy and her adopted babies outside while I was making a place for them in the coop. Just as I was walking out of the coop, a hawk swooped down and almost got one of the chicks. I immediately scooped them all up and put them inside for the rest of the day.

They are now comfortable in their own area of the coop. I just got some netting and attached it to a dog crate that we no longer use.

Our coop:

Cloudy and her babies own space:

Mama enjoying some food:

Midnight checking out the babies:

Blazer visiting mama and her new babies:

My EE's aren't quite sure what to think of them:

Cloudy being such a good mama:

This one continues to climb all over her back. He/she thinks mama is a jungle gym:

Everyone seems happy!: