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Discussion in 'Raising Baby Chicks' started by Chatychick, Nov 24, 2007.

Most Liked Posts
  1. Nov 24, 2007 #1
    Chatychick

    Chatychick Songster

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    Blue Mound, Kansas
    Well Thanksgiving day went out to get the horses for a ride and there was a chicken at the feed room and it looked like she had some sparrows by her as as I got closer it was 1 of my hens and she had baby chickes with her...8 little chickes...they are so cute and I didnt think they would set eggs during all of the cold weather that we have been getting...We caught her and all the babies and brought them inside. They are all doing good and liking the warmer area that they are in now.The momma hen is a stinker when you try to feed her so I was thinking about putting her back outside. Would this be a good idea or not as this is new for me as I usually order baby chiks to raise? She is a real stinker and I know she is being protective but...
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2007
  2. Nov 24, 2007 #2
    karri25

    karri25 Songster

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    THat is so neat! I don't know the answer to your question since I haven't any of my hens go broody yet:-(

    I think it would be so neat to find a bunch of little babies:)
     
  3. Nov 24, 2007 #3
    Chatychick

    Chatychick Songster

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    Blue Mound, Kansas
    Yep it was a real surprise as I didnt even know she wasnt in the coop at night when I put them up every night. Too many predators and I still havent found where she had them yet. Still looking ...And the babies are soooo cute all different colors...
     
  4. Nov 24, 2007 #4
    rosyposyosy

    rosyposyosy Songster

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    Usually broody chicks (chicks from broodies) are not as nice as the chicks without a broody. With a broody you can't handle the chicks, without, they come to love you.
     
  5. Nov 24, 2007 #5
    FluffyChickenMama

    FluffyChickenMama Songster

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    Tennessee
    I would take the hen away.. I really dont like momma raised chicks.. they are wild as can be.. make sure they cant hear her though.. I took some away from a hen and they could hear her and they were like little Houdinis.. everytime I turned around they were breaking out to go be with her...
     
  6. Nov 24, 2007 #6
    silkiechicken

    silkiechicken Staff PhD Premium Member

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    Everett WA/Corvallis OR
    Up to you. I let my momma hen raise chicks because they are more predator and chicken life smart than when i raise them by hand. Yes they are much more skittish though.
     
  7. Nov 24, 2007 #7
    cindydj

    cindydj Songster

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    I think leaving them with the mom is more natural and they seem to grow faster and are more healthy. My Buffs hatched some chicks at the end of winter last year and they were fine. She raised them in our horse barn and she would let me raise her up and handle them. I think it just depends on the chicken and how much they are used to you...I know one thing they sure poop a lot and I can not imagine them and the mom in the house....I would make them a place in a stall in your barn. Mine made a nest in the hay feeder and she had lots of hay for warmth... good luck!
     
  8. Nov 24, 2007 #8
    paganfish

    paganfish Songster

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    Quote:WOW! This made me feel all warm inside... [​IMG]

    which is hard to do in this cold weather! [​IMG]

    Congratulations on the new chickies! I love chickies! [​IMG]

    My Ameraucana hatched two chicks early October and they are now HUGE! I think they are almost as big as their surrogate mothers. (They are chicks from my standard hens that won't sit. One=EE and the other RS but both have BR dad so they look like him!) It's comical to try and see their mom trying to keep them warm now. They should be keeping HER warm! LOL!

    Awww...now I want MORE chicks!!! [​IMG]

    ~:-V
     
    Last edited: Nov 24, 2007
  9. Nov 24, 2007 #9
    Chatychick

    Chatychick Songster

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    Blue Mound, Kansas
    Well she is a Aracana and the babies are all mixed up...I think some of the roos I butchered earlier were maybe the daddys of some as none look like her but 1. I might take the momma out and raise the babies by themselves. She is a real stinker and tries to get me when I feed her.
     

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