Raising baby chicks

[Nancy Harp]

Now my babies are 7 days old and I've been keeping them in very small confined area away from the rest of flock. Mama hen wants to stretch her legs so to speak. I'm afraid that my Rooster may hurt or kill the babies because the Mama is his favorite. When would it be safe to let them out??

 

[Farmgal101]

Welcome to BYC!were glad to have you here and answer any questions you may have! I wouldn't let the chicks with the flock until there adult size.is there a way to have a bigger pen that the chicks can just stay with the mom until there bigger?

 

[sylviethecochin]

If your rooster hurts chicks, there's something seriously wrong with him. I've never had a rooster hurt chicks. Peck at them if they got between him an feed, maybe, but inflict injury? No.

EDT: Honestly, now is the ideal time to introduce mum and babies. She's hormonal enough to protect them completely while the rest of the flock acclimate.

 

[Farmgal101]

I've had a problem with roos hurting the chicks before I normally don't take a chance but maybe someone with more experience on this topic will be of better help.

 

[sylviethecochin]

I've had a problem with roos hurting the chicks before I normally don't take a chance but maybe someone with more experience on this topic will be of better help.

I had eight broody hens last year, and two roosters and four cockerels in my flock at the time, not including the bantams. I've been around chickens since I was eleven. I do consider myself experienced. The only chickens I've ever had harm chicks were rival broody hens and disgruntled game bantams. EDT: Also, the case of the cannibalistic mother, but that's a bit of an oddity.

What were your roosters doing to the chicks that was harmful?

 

[Farmgal101]

I had eight broody hens last year, and two roosters and four cockerels in my flock at the time, not including the bantams. I've been around chickens since I was eleven. I do consider myself experienced. The only chickens I've ever had harm chicks were rival broody hens and disgruntled game bantams. EDT: Also, the case of the cannibalistic mother, but that's a bit of an oddity.

What were your roosters doing to the chicks that was harmful?

It was hens to when they first hatched they would peck at them this was when I first started raising chicks I just took the chicks and moved them to a brooder it was a while I think I was scared the rooster would hurt them...in learning to maybe test that out now fully.glad I found this thread

 

[sylviethecochin]

It was hens to when they first hatched they would peck at them this was when I first started raising chicks I just took the chicks and moved them to a brooder it was a while I think I was scared the rooster would hurt them...in learning to maybe test that out now fully.glad I found this thread

Generally, roosters (especially the dominant flock roosters) expect any chicks to be their own offspring. So they don't hurt them.That would be silly, and counterproductive to passing on their own genetics.

Hens, on the other hand, have no stakes in the survival of their rivals' children--those chicks might take up resources they'll need. So they're far more likely to injure the chicks. Angry momma hens are generally very capable of protecting the chicks, though. Especially when the chicks are old enough to follow mum around easily, and she's protective enough to flatten those that peck them. If the chicks are older when introduced, then momma hen won't be as protective, and integration will be harder.

That's my experience, anyway.

 

[Farmgal101]

Thanks for the advice this helps me a lot for the future

Generally, roosters (especially the dominant flock roosters) expect any chicks to be their own offspring. So they don't hurt them.That would be silly, and counterproductive to passing on their own genetics.

Hens, on the other hand, have no stakes in the survival of their rivals' children--those chicks might take up resources they'll need. So they're far more likely to injure the chicks. Angry momma hens are generally very capable of protecting the chicks, though. Especially when the chicks are old enough to follow mum around easily, and she's protective enough to flatten those that peck them. If the chicks are older when introduced, then momma hen won't be as protective, and integration will be harder.

That's my experience, anyway.