Unexpected chickens being hatched!

[mopalia]

When Goldie went missing for 2 days, I thought she had flown out again and met some misadventure. But the next day she was back at threats time, desperate to get back in the chicken yard. Tuns out she had made a nest under the cedar tree and is incubating over a dozen eggs. I've had to leave the gate to the chicken run open - everyone is happy to free range, and she can come for food and water. But what happens when they hatch? Will the other chickens or the rooster attack the chicks? Can I just leave them all together and let nature integrate them? There are 2 elderly retired Wyandottes, and Goldie grew up with the rooster and the Little Red Hen. 5 chickens total. I never wanted the rooster - he was sold at a very young age as a hen. But here we are. What now? Any advice appreciated, I didn't expect this - none of the Wyandottes I have had for the last 8 years has ever gone broody. Assuming they will hatch 21 days after she first went missing, they are due to hatch on June 14. Help! +
3.

 

[Ridgerunner]

But what happens when they hatch? Will the other chickens or the rooster attack the chicks? Can I just leave them all together and let nature integrate them?

That's what nature was doing even before we ever domesticated them. One difference is that we sometimes confine them to small spaces so the hen doesn't have enough room to work. It sounds like you can give them enough room.

The vast number of roosters will either ignore the chicks or help Mama raise them. Those chicks are his babies, his legacy. Any rooster that attacks baby chicks would deserve to have his head cut off. It's not natural.


Some hens may be more of a risk though most are not. If any of my hens threaten to hurt a baby chick the broody beats the crap out of them.

You do not get guarantees with any living animals. Anything can happen. But my father let his broody hens handle integration with the flock. I let my broody hens handle integration to the flock. As long as they are not shoehorned into a tiny space I'd expect it to work.

 

[mopalia]

Thank you that's what I was hoping. There is a feral flock on my cul-de-sac, and a hen decided to incubate her babies in my tiny 16'x16' front yard which is somewhat overgrown with native plants, giving cover. She hatched 4 and took off, and there was immediately another one in a new nest. I seem to attract chickens!

 

[mopalia]

That's what nature was doing even before we ever domesticated them. One difference is that we sometimes confine them to small spaces so the hen doesn't have enough room to work. It sounds like you can give them enough room.

The vast number of roosters will either ignore the chicks or help Mama raise them. Those chicks are his babies, his legacy. Any rooster that attacks baby chicks would deserve to have his head cut off. It's not natural.


Some hens may be more of a risk though most are not. If any of my hens threaten to hurt a baby chick the broody beats the crap out of them.

You do not get guarantees with any living animals. Anything can happen. But my father let his broody hens handle integration with the flock. I let my broody hens handle integration to the flock. As long as they are not shoehorned into a tiny space I'd expect it to work.

Another Question - do I need to get chick starter food? I feed 20% with flaked oyster shell on the side. I assume it's inevitable that if I get chick feed, the adults will eat it?

 

[rosemarythyme]

Another Question - do I need to get chick starter food? I feed 20% with flaked oyster shell on the side. I assume it's inevitable that if I get chick feed, the adults will eat it?

20% what kind of feed? Layer or all flock? If it's an all flock the babies can eat it, though I'd opt for crumble if it's a larger pellet feed as that can be a struggle for tiny babies.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Good questions. What is the calcium content of the feed you are feeding the adults? Calcium content should be shown in the analysis. If the calcium content is around 4% it is not meant for chicks. If it is around 1% the feed is OK for chicks. So what does the analysis show?

Whether it is crumbles or pellets is also a good question for obvious reasons.

It is also inevitable that the chicks will soon be eating whatever feed you are feeding the adults, even if it is in pellet form. It will not take them long to be able to eat the pellets. I feed them all the same thing.

 

[mopalia]

20% what kind of feed? Layer or all flock? If it's an all flock the babies can eat it, though I'd opt for crumble if it's a larger pellet feed as that can be a struggle for tiny babies.

All flock, because of the rooster, who I gather should not get Ca enriched food.

 

[mopalia]

Good questions. What is the calcium content of the feed you are feeding the adults? Calcium content should be shown in the analysis. If the calcium content is around 4% it is not meant for chicks. If it is around 1% the feed is OK for chicks. So what does the analysis show?

Whether it is crumbles or pellets is also a good question for obvious reasons.

It is also inevitable that the chicks will soon be eating whatever feed you are feeding the adults, even if it is in pellet form. It will not take them long to be able to eat the pellets. I feed them all the same thing.

No calcium, I feed all-flock because of the rooster. They get oyster shell and crushed eggshells on the side. I have a hen who needs a lot of supplementation who lays soft shelled eggs, so I feed both regular oyster shell scattered on the ground and flaked shell in a dish, plus crushed eggshells scattered with threats. Looks like I either have to get my food processor to work on chicken pellets or go buy some chick starter. Thanks!

 

[Ridgerunner]

Try to not reduce it to a powder. Try to leave some decent sized chunks in it. If you reduce it to a powder it can separate due to the different ingredients having different specific gravities so they may not get as much of a balanced diet as you'd want. Even with some powder in it the chunks will give them the different nutrients.

 

[mopalia]

Try to not reduce it to a powder. Try to leave some decent sized chunks in it. If you reduce it to a powder it can separate due to the different ingredients having different specific gravities so they may not get as much of a balanced diet as you'd want. Even with some powder in it the chunks will give them the different nutrients.

Good point, I think that as soon as they hatch I will run down to a feed store and get some starter (there's one very close.) I am guessing there is no way to prevent her from going broody in the future, I may have to rehome the rooster. If this weren't enough, the local feral chickens have been using my front yard for nesting - one brood raised there already, and one being incubated, I feel besieged by chickens! Thanks for your help, I appreciate it. I just wanted 3 chickens in back for fun, and I'm turning into a poultry magnate!