IamRainey
Crowing
My broody hen hatched 3 chicks 3 & 4 days ago.
When the hen was brooding I put some food and water in the nesting box with her. When her chicks started emerging -- still in the nesting box up in the coop -- I set moistened all-flock pellets so they could get at it. Now they're running around the coop and they've followed mama down to the lower run.
When I incubated the chicks myself I gave them starter feed and chick grit. But, for my broody-raised chicks, "their" food isn't theirs anymore. It's fair game for anyone in there with them. Just setting feed in a container on the floor for them had every hen and my roo all over it -- and there wasn't anything special about it that wasn't in their feeder.
My second concern is, when they follow mom down into the run the only food and water available -- since they can't compete for the adult flock for the food intended for the chicks -- is in the feeder and waterer that hang 3-4 times their body height above them.
I don't see how I can control this situation without taking them away from their mama hen and I don't want to sever that bond and remove the best protection they'll have. What should I be doing?
When the hen was brooding I put some food and water in the nesting box with her. When her chicks started emerging -- still in the nesting box up in the coop -- I set moistened all-flock pellets so they could get at it. Now they're running around the coop and they've followed mama down to the lower run.
When I incubated the chicks myself I gave them starter feed and chick grit. But, for my broody-raised chicks, "their" food isn't theirs anymore. It's fair game for anyone in there with them. Just setting feed in a container on the floor for them had every hen and my roo all over it -- and there wasn't anything special about it that wasn't in their feeder.
My second concern is, when they follow mom down into the run the only food and water available -- since they can't compete for the adult flock for the food intended for the chicks -- is in the feeder and waterer that hang 3-4 times their body height above them.
I don't see how I can control this situation without taking them away from their mama hen and I don't want to sever that bond and remove the best protection they'll have. What should I be doing?