Separating babies from Mom

[Somshine]

So my chicken decided she wanted to be a mom. We were almost done with our large coop when I injured my hand and had to have hand surgery. So we're a bit behind. Because of that I've been letting them free range a lot and now I've got nine babies (born yesterday) I don't need. My neighbor said she would like to have them. So I've decided I will leave two or three with Mom so she wouldn't be upset and I felt she deserved it after all that hard work. When is the best time to take the others?

 

[Somshine]

So my chicken decided she wanted to be a mom. We were almost done with our large coop when I injured my hand and had to have hand surgery. So we're a bit behind. Because of that I've been letting them free range a lot and now I've got nine babies (born yesterday) I don't need. My neighbor said she would like to have them. So I've decided I will leave two or three with Mom so she wouldn't be upset and I felt she deserved it after all that hard work. When is the best time to take the others? This is my first time letting a hen hatch babies.

 

[Poppy Putentake]

As I wrote in my post here, a broody hen will normally "wean" her baby chicks when they start getting bigger. In my experience, this has happened at about 5 weeks, (but it could be a little different for a different hen). That would probablly work best as the time to separate the chicks, and at that point, she won't want any of them anymore.

 

[Somshine]

As I wrote in my post here, a broody hen will normally "wean" her baby chicks when they start getting bigger. In my experience, this has happened at about 5 weeks, (but it could be a little different for a different hen). That would probablly work best as the time to separate the chicks, and at that point, she won't want any of them anymore.

Well that's definitely what I would do if I was keeping them all. But I think my neighbor would like them as young as possible. And this time of year it is hard to find homes for extra chicks. I will leave mom with two or three. But I don't want to grow the others out too much and her change her mind and opt to get little ones elsewhere. So I guess for those is as soon as possible or as long as possible best? I don't want to blow it. Then they'd be across the street and I know they'd be in a good home. Otherwise I'd have to hope I could even find them homes.

 

[Somshine]

Also no matter who you're trying to home them with at that age people start picking out hens and leaving you with the roosters. I want them all to go.

 

[LaFleche]

Remove the ones you want to give to your neighbour at night when it is dark.

Talk to them in a low and reassuring voice while slowly grabbing one chick after the other positioning them in a prepared box with a warm water bottle covered by some terry cloth. The removed chicks will feel comfortable snuggling together and not scream for their momma.

 

[Somshine]

Remove tve obes yoz want to give to your neighbour at night when it is dark.

Talk to them in a low and reassuring voice while slowly grabbing one chick after the other positioning them in a prepared box with a warm water bottle covered by some terry cloth. The removed chicks will feel comfortable snuggling together and not scream for their momma.

That's a good idea! Now I think she's fine with up until this weekend. Is it better to do this as soon as possible or wait as long as I can?

 

[LaFleche]

That's a good idea! Now I think she's fine with up until this weekend. Is it better to do this as soon as possible or wait as long as I can?

You can do this whenever you want, but make sure that your neighbour has everything set up and ready for the chicks prior to removing them from momma hen :
Chick starter feed 18-20 % protein, brooder box of appropriate size, heat lamp, chick water dispenser, old sheets for the first week, then proper bedding etc

 

[Farmgirl283420]

My friend’s broody hatched some chicks and I took three babies they hardly peeped for their mommy at all and seem happy and content in their brooder. I took them when they were only a day or two old.

 

[LaFleche]

If you want to pick the ones that should stay with you, put them back under momma when all are removed.

I would keep at least 3-4 so in case of accidents there will not be a single chick left.