Raising chicks with a real mom.

[cranialbob]

Howdy all. Raising for 10 years but now with a new situation. We got a rooster finally and now have 8 chicks that hatched overnight. Mom is separate from the flock in her own protected area with the chicks. My question is what to do now. Without a brooder it was easy, indoors with food water and light. Now with a real mom, outdoors, and chilly. When do I feed, do I bring them indoors, use a light? Bring mom indoors? Many new questions. Thanks.

 

[JaeG]

Your new mother will take care of everything. Make sure they have constant access to food and that the chicks can't fall in the waterer. She will probably sit for a day or two more (just in case there are any more eggs to hatch) then she will get up and start teaching her babies everything they need to know. You'll love watching them.

 

[Aapomp831]

Your new mother will take care of everything. Make sure they have constant access to food and that the chicks can't fall in the waterer. She will probably sit for a day or two more (just in case there are any more eggs to hatch) then she will get up and start teaching her babies everything they need to know. You'll love watching them.

x2. Mother will keep them warm. You will see that chicks raised by a chicken are way tougher and adaptable than brooder chicks.

 

[BlackberryFarmer]

I have only been at this a year but I have raised all my chick naturally with Mommy Hens. I keep them separated in a hatchery area with food and water in view of the whole flock and try to keep their routine as close to the flock as possible. When the chicks get to be about two weeks to a mouth old I create a outdoor run and put the Mom and chicks out on good weather days (no Rain). They are tough and the cold does not seem to bother them at all. They love their outdoor time and after 3-4 months I just let them follow their Mommy Hen out and in and she protects them from other birds!