When to take chicks from mom

[ChikenChik]

So I have a broody chicken who is sitting on a few fertile eggs I got from a neighbor. When the chicks hatch I plan on just raising them myself. Ideally I would love to keep them with the broody but I don't have a separate place YET and my coop and run are not ideal for chicks. Plus there are already 8 teenagers and 6 adult hens in there. So my question is when to take the chicks from the hen. Should I separate them right away or let them stay together a few days and then put them in the brooder? The eggs are in a dog crate with my broody right now.

 

[Foxslayer16]

I don't think it matters when u take them I've done it at lots of different times and the were all fine. I would wait tI'll they all hatch

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

So you’re expecting the poor hen to sit there 21 days, day and night to hatch herself some babies that you will be taking off her ? Could you not at least try to make a small separate area for her and the chicks ?

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

The mother could raise her chicks happily with the flock you have. Why take them off of her ? The chicks should stay by the mom and the mom should protect her chicks from other hens/animals.
There is no valid reason that you have to take the chicks.

 

[1goose2ducks]

Golden Brahma 64 is so right. Let the mom raise them she’s worked very hard

 

[Golden Brahma 64]

So I have a broody chicken who is sitting on a few fertile eggs I got from a neighbor. When the chicks hatch I plan on just raising them myself. Ideally I would love to keep them with the broody but I don't have a separate place YET and my coop and run are not ideal for chicks. Plus there are already 8 teenagers and 6 adult hens in there. So my question is when to take the chicks from the hen. Should I separate them right away or let them stay together a few days and then put them in the brooder? The eggs are in a dog crate with my broody right now.

Here’s a thread that will help you raise the chicks with the rest of the flock. https://www.backyardchickens.com/threads/can-i-raise-chicks-with-the-flock.983212/

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I'm with all those who say it's just WRONG to steal those babies like a predator after she sat and lost condition that whole time. Oh wait it was just one person...

If she can HATCH the eggs with all those disruptions... she darn sure can raise them too! If there wasn't room... she should have been broken instead of allowed to sit.

Especially since some of what hatches will be young roosters... they are better raised by mum then by someone who isn't familiar and thinks they are raising the friendliest cockerel ever... that then turns into a hormonal raging idiot who attacks the friendly giant they've been sitting on their lap and eating out of their hand since hatch. In all sincerity... NO rudeness intended!

Good luck, whatever you decide.

 

[lazy gardener]

I would not allow a broody to set eggs unless I had housing to allow her to raise the chicks. Setting on eggs is very hard on a broody, she looses a lot of condition in the process. Do you even have room to add these chicks to your flock, or will you be selling or giving them away? You have enough time to plan ahead. You can build a tractor for her, even put up a cattle panel coop.

If your coop and run are already over stocked, you need to correct that before these babies hatch. Recommended minimum for BYF is 4 s.f. in coop and 10 s.f. in run PER BIRD. Even more space needed for multi age, broody and chicks, or a flock with a roo.

 

[ChikenChik]

I'm with all those who say it's just WRONG to steal those babies like a predator after she sat and lost condition that whole time. Oh wait it was just one person...

If she can HATCH the eggs with all those disruptions... she darn sure can raise them too! If there wasn't room... she should have been broken instead of allowed to sit.

Especially since some of what hatches will be young roosters... they are better raised by mum then by someone who isn't familiar and thinks they are raising the friendliest cockerel ever... that then turns into a hormonal raging idiot who attacks the friendly giant they've been sitting on their lap and eating out of their hand since hatch. In all sincerity... NO rudeness intended!

Good luck, whatever you decide.

I agree and would love to raise them with the rest. I just don't see how it is possible with my current setup. And I guess I am also pretty scared something will go wrong and I will end up with dead chicks. I appreciate your honesty! I have raised many chicks but this is the first time I have actually hatched them. So we shall see how it goes!

 

[EggSighted4Life]

I agree and would love to raise them with the rest. I just don't see how it is possible with my current setup. And I guess I am also pretty scared something will go wrong and I will end up with dead chicks. I appreciate your honesty! I have raised many chicks but this is the first time I have actually hatched them. So we shall see how it goes!

It's a valid concern... things do go wrong. There is always risk, and some people can't take that risk... for whatever reason.

I realize we all have reason we do what we do. Whether I agree or not, I TRY not to be too judgey as it simply doesn't help.

Is your mama able to come out of the kennel to poo? Mama's are actually amazing protectors. My Silkies raise their chicks among my large fowl flock... many are missing front neck feathers from her opening up a can of crazy ma on them.