Too Late for Baby Chicks?

[ChickenStacy]

Yesterday, while foraging for elderberries, I was excited to find my chicken that had gone missing almost a month ago. She had 2 babies that were clearly just hatched yesterday and was still sitting on a clutch of 6 more eggs. Much to her dismay we picked her up (She protested profusely!), and her babies and brought them home to the safety of our brooding coop, and we brought her remaining eggs very carefully to make sure they didn't change position in case they were ready to hatch soon too. She immediately sat on the eggs again and continued tending to the 2 babies. We are all very excited, and she is a wonderful chicken Momma. It occurred to me it is the end of summer and we've already had a couple nights dip into the 40's. Will they be OK outside in the coop? She is such a good momma I don't want to take her babies away, but I don't know if they will get too cold out there? This is my first time with chicks hatched here, we've always purchased chicks AND this is the 1st year we had a rooter. What are your recommendations?

 

[Poultrybonkers]

When they are cold they snuggle under her they will be fine my broody has 5 newly hatched chicks

 

[ChickenStacy]

That's good to know! I am shocked she made it this long in the wild on the ground. We have so many coyotes, foxes, raccoons, opossums and the occasional bobcat I am very surprised (and relieved) that she didn't become dinner to one of them!

 

[WVduckchick]

Glad you found her!

And same here, cool evenings, my broodies just hatched chicks. They will be fine. Just make sure they can't get separated from the momma.

Just this morning, 3 days old, and the co-mommas had the babies outside on the ground at daylight.

 

[ChickenStacy]

That's too cute! Here is my momma and her babies! She is a barred rock (obviously) but has a couple americauna eggs and silver laced Wyandotte eggs. The father is a Black Austrolorp we bought in the spring as a mis-sexed pullet but he's such a beautiful roo and keeps such a good watch out of the hens I couldn't bring myself to get rid of him. I cant wait to see what all the babies will look like grown up!

 

[Tlmcq]

So sweet, Glad you found her. And as others said as long as momma is caring for them they will be just dandy.

 

[ChickenStacy]

I had actually given up looking for her about 3 weeks ago. We have so many predators I assumed she was something's dinner. I am still very happy to have my Jasmine back! With bonus babies to boot!

 

[WVduckchick]

I love those kinds of stories. Its surprising how often it happens. She's beautiful! Love the name Jasmine too.

ETA - and look at the other bright side, these chicks will be fully grown and producing eggs in the spring! lol

 

[ChickenStacy]

Thank you! She is from our 1st set of chicks 3 years ago. We had 3, and the kids named them after Disney princesses. There was Jasmine, A RIR named Belle, and our americauna named Amelia. The kids insists there was a princess named Amelia, but I don't remember one!

 

[christwodog]

So happy you found her! With so much loss in the chicken world, it's nice to hear a happy ending story!