Tried so hard to collect all the eggs I could find since I don't want to increase my flock, and still, a black Australorp showed up with 10 chicks today, maybe a week old. I thought she had given up - I guesss she just smartened up & found a place to nest. Everyone, 12 chickens, 5 muscovies, 3 geese; free range in a fenced area with 3 coops open 24hrs. Haven't lost a bird to predators yet. The hens return to their coop at night which the geese & muscovies can't get into. The geese patrol the yard & the Muscovies go to their coop. My question is: what I do with these chicks? Do I need to put out chick food? Mom is very protective & will keep them warm but do they need a separate place? I'm afraid if I set up a separate area, she won't use it & might abandon the chicks in it - as she did her eggs when she 1st went broody (refused to sit on her eggs & kept returning to the main coop). I don't know where she hatched them so I hope it's a place she'll return to to keep them safe. The other birds are keeping a respectful distance as she & her brood mill around the yard, scratching & watching. No signs of aggression. TIA
