What to do about food for broody and day old chicks?

[PaulaJoAnne]

We have starter, and water. Should I have it available for the chicks right away?
I'm confused

 

[phalenbeck]

That is all I did---Starter and water close, and 'big girl food' a little farther away. I also did the old fashion way, and let the moms handle everything, and have not lost a hatched chick, but have not done that many.

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Quote:
Kind of what i was thinking. The baby that hatched last night, is already eating.
We are also going all old school, as natural as possible.
Requires a bit of retraining of the brain,

 

[phalenbeck]

I did have one dumb mom. She did not quite get the idea of letting the chick stay under vs beside her. I warmed the chick, and gave it to the Cochin experienced mom instead of a silkey mom. All then was well. I had 2-3 hens trying to feed these new chicks. Keep your eyes open. Mine hatched in Dec, when it was quite cold.

 

[PaulaJoAnne]

Quote:
Ours are all inside. Its dead of winter way up here still

Keep an eye out for the massive brooder we are assembling right now, in our walk in shower.....

 

[phalenbeck]

My hens hatched in the coop/storage shed with temp down to +10 to + 35 more or less. I almost remember that -25 and up or 0 on a warm day when I was in No. MN. I think they would have died there. Even here in a 'moderate climate' 1 of my silkeys has cold problems at +10. I imagine Alaskan chickens have to be tough.