Will hens Raise their own?

[lisahaschickens]

I'm not sure if anyone's asked this yet, but do you have these chicks in with the rest of the flock (not just the two mothers)? Everything I've ever read says that you have to separate new mothers and babies from the rest of the flock... the other adults will more than likely kill the babies. I don't think it is as common for the mamas to hurt the babies, though it can happen, and if this is the case, you need to raise the babies yourself indoors with a brooder lamp. But, I would think the first thought here is that the OTHER chickens are picking on the babies... not the mamas.

 

[PortageGirl]

I have had two hens that shared mama duties very well. (called them the "Wylde Sisters" they shared chicks well and no hen dared hurt a feather on any chick) That's not to say that all will or that your two will. I would watch them very carefully. A lot of the time, a protective mama will guard her chicks from the rest of the flock very well too, but again, you can't count on that and giving her a sectioned off, protected area to keep her chicks and a small waterer and feeder is safer if you're not sure.

You could either just watch her/them closely where they are, (and I mean as in sitting out there for a couple hours till all the hens stop paying attention to you and go back to normal activity... see who does what to whom) .. you can segregate one hen with the chicks, or two hens with the chicks, or just pull the chicks and brood them yourself.

It's all up to you and what you have time or desire to do.