Wing It Ranch

[Tstraub]

I agree with @Auntiejessi3 let momma bring them into the flock while she’s still willing. I have had broody hens ween as early as 4 weeks. When she’s done she’s done. My current broody still has 9 week old chicks following her around. It’s anybody’s guess when she will decide it’s time.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

When she’s done she’s done.

Very well worded @Tstraub ! When momma hens decide they're done, they mean business. They will peck at and chase the littles away, so keep all that in mind when you make your decision.

 

[WingItRanch]

Thank you @Auntiejessi3 and @Tstraub !

I'll give it a shot, then. Maybe this afternoon or tomorrow morning. I'm home all weekend so I wanted to make the decision while I'm around to observe. I don't trust broody to protect the chicks. When she's confronted or spooked, she tends to run away and forget the babies and then panic when she realizes she forgot them.

 

[WingItRanch]

Going well so far. I added little hideaways for escape routes.

I also added bricks so babies and reach feeders and waterers.

Everyone seems to be ignoring the chicks but the broody is a different story. She's getting picked on, probably because she's very clucky and pacing. Hopefully that will settle down.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

She's getting picked on, probably because she's very clucky and pacing.

This is roo behavior also, that's why it attracts attention, it's the noise a roo makes to signal food. The other hens will eventually realize it's not directed to them.

 

[WingItRanch]

Bedtime did not go well. Mama was completely panicked. Going into the coop, then out, pacing the fence to get back to growout pen, up on roost bars. Completely leaving or trampling the babies as they tried to follow. It was a mess!

Finally after everyone went to roost in the coop, she went into the coop into a nest box and started making cooing/growling noises. The babies will still in the run completely confused.

Eventually one figured it out and climbed the stairs and found her. Then the 2nd one. The 3rd one just cried very loudly alone in the run. I went in and crouched down and held my hands not (not expecting anything but I didn't want to scare her more) and she FLEW to my hand!!!!! I carefully lifted her up to the ramp and ahe scurried in to mom and siblings. Wild! They've been scared of me this whole time but she flew to me like I was a freaking Disney princess.

I hope this is just a shaky start and it gets better. Poor mom really got pecked at my almost everyone.

 

[SJsChickies]

Going well so far. I added little hideaways for escape routes.

I also added bricks so babies and reach feeders and waterers.

Everyone seems to be ignoring the chicks but the broody is a different story. She's getting picked on, probably because she's very clucky and pacing. Hopefully that will settle down.
View attachment 4226758View attachment 4226759View attachment 4226760

Look at those sweet little babes already on the roost with mama!

 

[Tstraub]

Bedtime did not go well.

Honestly that sounds exactly as expected in my experience. 2 out of 3 made it with help and the third found the next best route to momma. You’ll have them whipped into shape in time for your trip out of town. You got this, keep it up!

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Bedtime did not go well. Mama was completely panicked. Going into the coop, then out, pacing the fence to get back to growout pen, up on roost bars. Completely leaving or trampling the babies as they tried to follow. It was a mess!

Finally after everyone went to roost in the coop, she went into the coop into a nest box and started making cooing/growling noises. The babies will still in the run completely confused.

Eventually one figured it out and climbed the stairs and found her. Then the 2nd one. The 3rd one just cried very loudly alone in the run. I went in and crouched down and held my hands not (not expecting anything but I didn't want to scare her more) and she FLEW to my hand!!!!! I carefully lifted her up to the ramp and ahe scurried in to mom and siblings. Wild! They've been scared of me this whole time but she flew to me like I was a freaking Disney princess.

I hope this is just a shaky start and it gets better. Poor mom really got pecked at my almost everyone.

You've got to think it's mommas first time with all this, she doesn't have a game plan, if it was her 2nd or 3rd time raising chicks she'd know exactly what she was gonna do. As far as the pecking, she may have been within sight of the others but she's acting differently now and an order has to be established. The others should lose interest. I think you're doing great and so is your young mom!

 

[WingItRanch]

This morning was better. All the pullets are early risers so they left the coop at first light, including mama with her babies. Hens stayed "in bed" a little longer so that gave mama time to get her chicks food and water and settled before the big meanies came out.

All seems OK. Mama seems less panicked this morning so she's not getting picked on. As long as she remains calm, the others ignore the family unit.