Unexpectedly "fostering" multiple hens and their chicks

[Bsimula23]

Hi, I'm new here about a week and a half ago I discovered a hen laying on her eggs. Her eggs hatched a week ago(she had ten chicks). I live in Florida and in my neighborhood we have chickens roaming around. I have no clue who the owners of any of the chickens are and honestly I don't think the owners would even know what chickens are theirs. Lol that being said these aren't "my" chickens but I do feel a responsibility to help them out in what ways I can. For the past week I've been struggling helping this hen protect her flock. She has a rooster and a yearling hen helping her protect and so far have only lost one chick due to hawks. Well today I discovered that another hen had chicks under my house(about 5 chicks). So now I got two hens and their flocks in my yard. I don't have a coop, I bought a waterer and some feed for them, my yard isn't big enough for a run and I really just need some suggestions on how to help these flocks. I considered building a coop but again, these aren't my chickens they have never been in a coop and if I was to coop them I'm not sure how prepared the chicks would be to fend for themselves whenever they got too big to stay in the coop. I don't have a lot of money to invest in this rescue mission either (that's why I don't have any of my OWN chickens lol). My local home depot had NOTHING to help me out either... No netting, no decoys, no reflective tape...nothing of use. I do have a poodle/terrier dog but she is lazy and doesn't stay outside with the chickens (probably bc I've scolded her so many times about chasing them!). I do have some cover in my yard like bushes and shrubs, but for the most part a lot of the yard is open. Any suggestions would be appreciated. My next step is to get a pellet gun or bb gun and sit outside and have target practice until either I get a hit or these predators no longer want to come around. Which honestly seems like the best, quickest, least time consuming, cheapest route thus far. But I'm open to suggestions and advice. Thanks in advance for your time!

 

[parvani]

Honestly, it sounds like the chickens are doing just fine without any help at all. It's Florida, so they don't really need a coop to protect them from the elements... And when they think they do need shelter, they go under your house!

Obviously they've figured out how to keep themselves fed without someone to bring them feed every day.

If you feel obligated to take care of them just because they landed in your yard, they'd probably be grateful for a pan of water.

But they got to your yard somehow, so apparently they also know how to fly well enough to avoid most predators.

If they're doing all right without your help, then why "help" them?

 

[cmom]

Hi, I'm new here about a week and a half ago I discovered a hen laying on her eggs. Her eggs hatched a week ago(she had ten chicks). I live in Florida and in my neighborhood we have chickens roaming around. I have no clue who the owners of any of the chickens are and honestly I don't think the owners would even know what chickens are theirs. Lol that being said these aren't "my" chickens but I do feel a responsibility to help them out in what ways I can. For the past week I've been struggling helping this hen protect her flock. She has a rooster and a yearling hen helping her protect and so far have only lost one chick due to hawks. Well today I discovered that another hen had chicks under my house(about 5 chicks). So now I got two hens and their flocks in my yard. I don't have a coop, I bought a waterer and some feed for them, my yard isn't big enough for a run and I really just need some suggestions on how to help these flocks. I considered building a coop but again, these aren't my chickens they have never been in a coop and if I was to coop them I'm not sure how prepared the chicks would be to fend for themselves whenever they got too big to stay in the coop. I don't have a lot of money to invest in this rescue mission either (that's why I don't have any of my OWN chickens lol). My local home depot had NOTHING to help me out either... No netting, no decoys, no reflective tape...nothing of use. I do have a poodle/terrier dog but she is lazy and doesn't stay outside with the chickens (probably bc I've scolded her so many times about chasing them!). I do have some cover in my yard like bushes and shrubs, but for the most part a lot of the yard is open. Any suggestions would be appreciated. My next step is to get a pellet gun or bb gun and sit outside and have target practice until either I get a hit or these predators no longer want to come around. Which honestly seems like the best, quickest, least time consuming, cheapest route thus far. But I'm open to suggestions and advice. Thanks in advance for your time!

Where in Florida do you live?

 

[cmom]

If you are close enough you can always bring them to our Farm Swap. You can always find a home for them there.
https://www.poultryshowcentral.com/Florida_Swap.html

 

[cmom]

Also,

 

[cmom]

I feel the same way if a stray animal lands at my place I try to help them and find them a new home. They will eventually adjust. Good luck and have fun...

 

[hannah and the chickens]

My chickens like to use our garden furniture as cover from crows and other things they think are dangerous. Maybe you could find a cheap second-hand table, put some flower pots or other decoration on top so it looks nice and the chickens can find cover underneath it if they want to. They can also stay under it when it's raining maybe. If those hens chose to hatch their eggs in your garden, they seem to think it's already pretty safe with you.
I think it's great that you are looking out for those chickens even though they aren't your responsibility!

 

[AmeliaBedelia]

You can also make a "web" with string, fishing line, Christmas lights, etc up high that the hawks may be hesitant to fly through, even for a chicken dinner. And hanging old CDs around helps scare them off sometimes.

 

[Bsimula23]

Thanks for all your suggestions and help. I ended up finding some orange construction fence. It looks like a big net. I didn't have much but it was enough to cover a good portion of my yard where the chickens were the most exposed. Also, the hawk that was attacking the flocks got hit by a truck and died. At least I think it was the same hawk...since I seen that one dead in the road I haven't had anymore major issues with hawks or any predators. I have about 6 hens, 1 rooster and well over 25 chicks that have made my yard there home/hang out spot. The original two hens have not lost anymore chicks, I'm not sure about the other hens and their flocks. They just come to my yard to feed throughout the day. I do believe my yard is the ideal environment for chickens. I've read up a lot and have learned a great deal about chickens in the past month. I have A LOT of places for them to hide and take cover, under my house, under the shed, I have a bunch of small shrubs/bushes through my yard, a patio table and chairs, and I even took the topper that goes on my husband's truck put it on blocks so it's off the ground a little and they go inside there if they need shelter too. I'm very impressed on how well these chickens take care of their young and their natural instinct. I definitely view chickens differently after this experience. Again thanks for all the help. I really appreciate this website and the support it offers!

 

[cmom]

I guess you now have a flock that has adopted you. Good luck...