Wing It Ranch

[Auntiejessi3]

Yeah I'm thinking it was because she's so low in the pecking order. You know I've been worried about that since she went broody.

Good news is within an hour of settling into the mini coop, she brought the 3 down the stairs and is now in the run with them.
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I've had my bottom of the barrel hen raise chicks in the flock and never had that happen. Idk what happen, you never know when it comes to live animals, but I'm glad the little family is happy and getting their chicken on! That particular hen may be a severe bully, when you go to introduce them to the flock I'd stay out there and watch, she may need to be separated for awhile.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Momma and littles doing well?

 

[WingItRanch]

Momma and littles doing well?

So far, so good. The chicks seem energetic.

Mama seems pretty stressed every time she sees me. I feel bad. Think I traumatized her by moving her and the chicks so she freaks out whenever I check on them (even if I keep my distance). Hopefully she'll calm down around my presence soon.

 

[Tstraub]

For what it’s worth I don’t believe you traumatized her. My Momma hens are always pretty stressed the first few days. It’s a lot of change for her and she’s trying to figure things out. They always teach the chicks to keep their distance from me. The good part is that momma will show them who to go to for treats when the time comes.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

For what it’s worth I don’t believe you traumatized her. My Momma hens are always pretty stressed the first few days. It’s a lot of change for her and she’s trying to figure things out. They always teach the chicks to keep their distance from me. The good part is that momma will show them who to go to for treats when the time comes.

I agree ! This current batch of chicks is Onyx's 5th brood, and she is only 1yr 11 months old, she still makes a fuss and protests when I get up in her chicks business, even though she knows I mean no harm, it's embedded into them.

 

[wrathsfarm]

I'm glad your hatch went well and so sorry for your loss. Keep posting lots of updates, and if I fall behind please tag me.

 

[WingItRanch]

I'm glad your hatch went well and so sorry for your loss. Keep posting lots of updates, and if I fall behind please tag me.

Thank you! It's been more stressful than I had hoped. I imagine because I'm a first timer and so is Broody.

One thing I may need help figuring out is how to adjust the ramp so the babies can get into the mini coop. Poor mom is beside herself at dust trying to call them up. I've had to risk injury to help the 3 littles. Mama calms down instantly when the babies are upstairs, thankfully. But I really can't be climbing in and facing her beating every night.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Thank you! It's been more stressful than I had hoped. I imagine because I'm a first timer and so is Broody.

One thing I may need help figuring out is how to adjust the ramp so the babies can get into the mini coop. Poor mom is beside herself at dust trying to call them up. I've had to risk injury to help the 3 littles. Mama calms down instantly when the babies are upstairs, thankfully. But I really can't be climbing in and facing her beating every night.

Step 1... Be quicker than the broody.

Step 2... if Step 1 fails. Have Band-aids on the ready rack.

 

[WingItRanch]

Step 1... Be quicker than the broody.

Step 2... if Step 1 fails. Have Band-aids on the ready rack.

This is horrible advice. You can go back to ignoring my thread now.