- Feb 28, 2013
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So I picked up 7 chicks from the feed store June 1 and had them indoors until fully feathered. The plan was to put them in my coop brooder, a partitioned space in the coop, so they could be face to face with the hens and still be safe. But earlier that week, one of my best hens ended up with two broken legs when my large rooster tried to persuade her to sit on eggs. So into the coop brooder went the chicks AND the lamed hen, who I might add, was not broody.
Within a few days she was mothering all 7 chicks. Showing them how to eat and drink, she slept with them on the floor until her legs healed and she could get onto the roosting bar. She called them to her when the rooster outside gave warning and protected them from any hen that came near. They're now 12 weeks old and she's almost fully healed. All 7 still sleep on the roosting bar next to her every night.
Within a few days she was mothering all 7 chicks. Showing them how to eat and drink, she slept with them on the floor until her legs healed and she could get onto the roosting bar. She called them to her when the rooster outside gave warning and protected them from any hen that came near. They're now 12 weeks old and she's almost fully healed. All 7 still sleep on the roosting bar next to her every night.
