Will my chicks be safe???

[dani_chickenz]

Hi guys

my hen has just started officialy become broody and I was wondering what would happen if I kept her sister in the same pen with her when she has her chicks. I was wondering if you think her sister might hurt the chicks. Do you think I the other hen might hurt the chicks?

 

[cmom]

I would give her her own space. Others may try to either damage the eggs or the chicks. Just my opinion.

 

[ScissorChick]

Welcome to BYC!

Agreed ^ ^ ^

Personaly, yes, I do think she could cause a problem. Hens have always been a problem

with chicks, for me. I had 3 chicks and their mom housed with some hens who were OH so

very gentle. They killed all but one chick, and twisted her leg all the way up and back behind

her head. Block off a small erea with chicken wire if your worried, and running low on fenced

ereas You could also keep her and the chicks in a medium/large dog crate. Until the chicks

get big enough to stand a chance, and defend themselves, I would keep them seperated.

Try and keep them in the same erea, in a place where the rest of the flock can see them.

Good luck, and Happy hatching!

 

[cochinfan]

How long can chicks be kept in the dog crate with momma hen? I have a german shepherd size crate with a hen and about five babies. That doesn't seem too bad but I have two hens with about 2 babies in sheltie size crates. Those crates seem too small for very long. I've used a horse watering tank in the past to brood chicks from the feed store. Would that work for one family? I guess I would have to cover it to keep other hens out so the mom couldn't come and go.

I wish I had thought this all through. I probably would have worked on stopping the broodiness! I love seeing the hens with the chicks but I'm not set up well. Darn it!

 

[dani_chickenz]

Thank you guys all so much

I think im going to seperate them for sure now. thanks