I realized I have been putting this off because I've never done this particular task in this circumstance before.
We have 2 broodies raising 13 chicks that just turned 4 weeks old. The moms show no signs of weaning soon.
Usually when we sort and band chicks they're coming from an artificial brooder, in the past I've always left broody families alone as much as possible.
But it is time... I need to be able to grab out non-keeper chicks in the night some time this coming week. Their new home is patiently waiting. And that means leg bands so I can easily tell them apart.
HOW do I separate the hens long enough to do this stressful, cheepy task, without getting hurt or chicks hurt... and without breaking the broodys bond with the chicks? (I want them to integrate the remaining chicks into the flock next)
Why do I find this confusing? I don't know. It feels mean and rude to mess with their babies.
If I somehow manage to isolate the moms in the closed brooder with the chicks in the run (seems like complicated herding), and maybe cover the whole thing with a tarp so it gets dark... I just know the moms are going to freak out.
If I grab the moms and chuck them out to free range with the flock, I worry they will lose the bond with their chicks and not integrate them for me.
If I approach in the dark, I'm still concerned they'll freak out since they are very protective (lost a chick to a pencil thin snake that squeezed in, momma Freckles was trying to fight it in the dark).
Argh! Help!
We have 2 broodies raising 13 chicks that just turned 4 weeks old. The moms show no signs of weaning soon.
Usually when we sort and band chicks they're coming from an artificial brooder, in the past I've always left broody families alone as much as possible.
But it is time... I need to be able to grab out non-keeper chicks in the night some time this coming week. Their new home is patiently waiting. And that means leg bands so I can easily tell them apart.
HOW do I separate the hens long enough to do this stressful, cheepy task, without getting hurt or chicks hurt... and without breaking the broodys bond with the chicks? (I want them to integrate the remaining chicks into the flock next)
Why do I find this confusing? I don't know. It feels mean and rude to mess with their babies.
If I somehow manage to isolate the moms in the closed brooder with the chicks in the run (seems like complicated herding), and maybe cover the whole thing with a tarp so it gets dark... I just know the moms are going to freak out.
If I grab the moms and chuck them out to free range with the flock, I worry they will lose the bond with their chicks and not integrate them for me.
If I approach in the dark, I'm still concerned they'll freak out since they are very protective (lost a chick to a pencil thin snake that squeezed in, momma Freckles was trying to fight it in the dark).
Argh! Help!
or get some protective gloves
