Would it be cruel to take the chicks away from the hen once they hatch?

[BuffOrpington567]

Would it be cruel to take the chicks away from the hen once they hatch?

 

[21hens-incharge]

Is there a danger in leaving them with mom?

I don't think it's cruel, but raised by mom chicks seem stronger as adults.

 

[staceyj]

Just so I’m clear, Why would you do that?

She’s doing what she’s meant to do, after you allowed her set on eggs.

Your question would deprive her of the rewarding half of her service to you.

Buff Orpingtons are one of the best broody mamas out there.

Unless she’s killing her own babies I’d leave the poor girl alone and let her do her thing.

 

[JanetMarie]

As long as mom is doing a good job, yes it would be cruel.

A member wrote on here that they took chicks from the mom, and even a year later the mom would go to the same spot where they were took still looking for her chicks!

Chicks raised by the mom, and if mom and chicks are kept with the flock, will integrate into the flock naturally.

Is there a reason why you are thinking of taking them from her?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Would it be cruel to take the chicks away from the hen once they hatch?

There are plenty of situations where where this might be the logical thing to do. One easy example is if you are giving or selling those chicks to someone else they may want to start socializing the chicks immediately. There can be many other good reasons.

Chickens are prey animals. It is not that unusual in the wild for a hen to lose all her chicks to a predator. The hen will be distraught for a couple of days but will fairly quickly get over it and eventually return to laying eggs. The chicks will also get over it in a couple of days.

That's the way with animals. The mothering instinct is strong but they will quickly get over it if they lose an offspring. That's true for chickens, squirrels, mice, or other prey animals. They will miss them for a while, but they will get over it.

I like my broody hens to raise their chicks with the flock but some of those chicks will become permanent members. My goals are probably different from yours. I don't know what your goals are or your situation, but making these types of decisions is part of animal husbandry.

 

[BuffOrpington567]

I was just wondering because we have a lot of preadtors in our area and i have been considering giving some away.

 

[Folly's place]

Hens don't actually count their chicks, so moving a few on elsewhere isn't so bad. I agree that she's done all this work, and should have some chicks to raise to show for it!
Mary

 

[Ladybird CA]

it's a dilemma, I probably wouldn't be able to bring myself to take away a hen's chicks. On one hand you could leave her with some and rehome some but I'd feel sorry for the ones that didn't get to stay with mom, on the other hand chicks hatched by hens tend to be healthier because there is usually less problems than ones occurring with an incubator. Also some people want to get rid of chicks before the buyers know they are roosters.

 

[krowchick]

Would it be cruel to take the chicks away from the hen once they hatch?

it's a dilemma, I probably wouldn't be able to bring myself to take away a hen's chicks. On one hand you could leave her with some and rehome some but I'd feel sorry for the ones that didn't get to stay with mom, on the other hand chicks hatched by hens tend to be healthier because there is usually less problems than ones occurring with an incubator. Also some people want to get rid of chicks before the buyers know they are roosters.

 

[Folly's place]

Welcome @krowchick!
This tread ended in 2018, so worth reading for the information, but nobody has been on it in seven years!
Mary