Separating mama hen for first week after chicks were born

[Bantams182]

We have been removing new mamas after chicks have hatched before integrating them back in the flock, it gives mama hen and chicks a chance to acclimate, mama to calm down from the stress of a new hatch and the chicks a week to grow and get their balance and use to what mama is teaching them, does anyone else do this? It has worked good for us. After a week of being seperated and getting things worked out we move them back with the flock, it has worked out well.

 

[BigBlueHen53]

Ah, you remove mama and chicks together from the flock?

 

[Australorpfamily]

We have been removing new mamas after chicks have hatched before integrating them back in the flock, it gives mama hen and chicks a chance to acclimate, mama to calm down from the stress of a new hatch and the chicks a week to grow and get their balance and use to what mama is teaching them, does anyone else do this? It has worked good for us. After a week of being seperated and getting things worked out we move them back with the flock, it has worked out well.

If you mean moving Mama with babies away from flock, we have separated them by a dog fence panels to allow flock to see Mama and chicks. Have done this twice now. And it's how we integrate new chicks to flock

Eta photo of first brood in December lol

 

[Bantams182]

Ah, you remove mama and chicks together from the flock?

Yes, everyone is curious with the new chicks and mama hen seems to be anxious, so it gives the new mama and chicks a chance to just get use to doing what they need to do. After a week mama has settled in to her routine and the chicks have grown some and learned what mama needs to teach them to survive, it has worked good.

 

[Australorpfamily]

Yes, everyone is curious with the new chicks and mama hen seems to be anxious, so it gives the new mama and chicks a chance to just get use to doing what they need to do. After a week mama has settled in to her routine and the chicks have grown some and learned what mama needs to teach them to survive, it has worked good.

I think she was asking bc the first read through it sounded like you were separating the chicks from the Mama lol all good though!

 

[sourland]

We have been removing new mamas after chicks have hatched before integrating them back in the flock, it gives mama hen and chicks a chance to acclimate, mama to calm down from the stress of a new hatch and the chicks a week to grow and get their balance and use to what mama is teaching them, does anyone else do this? It has worked good for us. After a week of being seperated and getting things worked out we move them back with the flock, it has worked out well.

In a free range situation this is usually not necessary, but in a penned/enclosed situation it may be a very good idea.

 

[Bantams182]

I think she was asking bc the first read through it sounded like you were separating the chicks from the Mama lol all good though!

I'm sorry, I am not very good at posting.

 

[Australorpfamily]

I'm sorry, I am not very good at posting.

No reason to be sorry! It's why I started my comment how I did just to double check! All good! Mama's and chicks are so fun to watch! Have any photos?

 

[Bantams182]

In a free range situation this is usually not necessary, but in a penned/enclosed situation it may be a very good idea.

Yes, we don't free range, have a lot of neighborhood dogs and cats, predators got all the neighbors chickens.

 

[Bantams182]