Wow, reading about these challenges I can see why people use brooders. But that's not really an option for you. It's very challenging! I hope the folks in your chicken club have some suggestions for you.I give medicated chick feed usually. I've got a couple of problems with this two mums though that I need to think through.
It's winter here and about the coldest few weeks ahead. It's not silly cold but at night it drops below freezing. The forage isn't all that great atm. I get problems trying to get the mums let the chicks eat the feed I provide. They get very pissy and even go for me when I try. It's a case of, 'I can look after my own kids thank you very much'.
While I appreciate they most probably can, the chicks and the mother do better with some assistance. Basically, if mother doesn't tell them to eat it, they don't.
Knock, chose to lay and hatch in her tribes coop. Knock is the most junior hen in the tribe. Also in the tribe and in the coop is Myth and she's a baby killer.
Knock is a fairly aggressive hen and I'm hoping she will be willing, she's certainly able, to defender her chicks while she, they and the rest are in the coop.
Bracket (Tribe 2) also chose to sit and hatch in her tribe coop. The big difference is she is the most senior hen in the tribe, despite being barking mad. This is Brackets third hatch.
The first hatch she hatched one chick and deserted the nest with it. A few weeks later it seems she left the chick somewhere and I never saw it again.
The second hatch was a triple sit with her sisters. They took up the slack when Bracket lost her concentration.She may have learn't and improved, but her mother skills haven't been all that so far.
Sorry for being awol, work is just crazy right now 
