Who here lets broody chickens hatch and raise their peachicks?

[Chicken Keith]

First off, if my peahen would sit on eggs (in a controlled safe environment instead of out in the wilderness where possums and raccoons dine on her clutch) I'd let her raise them. My peas are kept penned, but I let them free-range if I'm home and can respond to dogs or other predators. They sleep in a safe pen at night, surrounded by an electric fence designed low to repel skunks, possums and coons.

Do broody chicken hens impart antibodies onto their peachick brood? I've read about cocci and blackhead wiping out flocks of handraised chicks, but do chicken-raised peas develop immunities?

If so, is there a need for anti-biotics?

 

[KsKingBee]

 

[Chicken Keith]

KSKing, those look like bee brood boxes. LOL

 

[KsKingBee]

KSKing, those look like bee brood boxes. LOL

I prefer supers as they are not as deep. Makes it easier for the chicks to get back in if the hen is not done setting the last egg(s).

 

[Midnightman14]

Many people let chickens hatch the eggs and then take the young away. No antibodies or immunity are passed to the chicks by the parents. Chicken moms do a good job of brooding the chicks up to a point but the problem comes when the chicks still need heat but are to big to still fit under her.

 

[KsKingBee]

 

[old biddy]

Many people let chickens hatch the eggs and then take the young away. No antibodies or immunity are passed to the chicks by the parents. Chicken moms do a good job of brooding the chicks up to a point but the problem comes when the chicks still need heat but are to big to still fit under her.

Yes, I have a chicken mom still trying to cover three pea chicks at 12 weeks old. Fortunately, our days are in the 90's and our nights in the 70's so heat is not as big a factor for us here in Florida. By the time the cooler weather hits in October or November...if then...the chicks should be feathered out enough to stay warm on their own.