Hello.
We relocated to a new farm last fall and our free ranging flock has adjusted well and returns to the coop each night. But no one had gone broody.
Or so we thought. 7 weeks ago, a hen hatched a clutch of eggs in the front garden. They have been ranging everywhere, except anywhere near the coop. I had started feeding them to get them accustomed to me, which would then bring the other hens running if they saw me. Mother hen was very protective and would take the chicks and hide.
Now they are fully feathered, and she has moved on. Leaving us with 7 chicks who run away from the flock, and now that the mother is not with them, won't approach me when I feed them - before they were coming right up to my feet.
How do I get them to join the flock? Or go to the coop?
I'd hate to lose them after mother hen did such a good job keeping them safe while roaming the farm.
We relocated to a new farm last fall and our free ranging flock has adjusted well and returns to the coop each night. But no one had gone broody.
Or so we thought. 7 weeks ago, a hen hatched a clutch of eggs in the front garden. They have been ranging everywhere, except anywhere near the coop. I had started feeding them to get them accustomed to me, which would then bring the other hens running if they saw me. Mother hen was very protective and would take the chicks and hide.
Now they are fully feathered, and she has moved on. Leaving us with 7 chicks who run away from the flock, and now that the mother is not with them, won't approach me when I feed them - before they were coming right up to my feet.
How do I get them to join the flock? Or go to the coop?
I'd hate to lose them after mother hen did such a good job keeping them safe while roaming the farm.
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