Wow! Just Wow! So Amazing!

[chicksrcool]

Wow such a great story! It was meant to be that you were home, talk about right place, right time.
Please keep us updated on all the progress and how things turn out

 

[ozark hen]

I have a hen raising six chicks that she hatched a couple weeks or so ago. I have her separate from the flock but the flock can see and hear the little ones. I open the door on the brooder cage and allow them to come and go as they please. Mama even took them down the ramp this week to eat some grass and scratch around in the run. mama has attacked the other hens when they peck or bother her little ones. Now that we have had so much rain, I am making mama and babies stay inside the brooder cage as it is too cool and too much water outside for the little ones. I keep them all on chick starter right now. I do throw cracked corn in there and mama tells them it is wonderful to eat. We have tossed a piece of bread in there and mama tells them that it is good, too. Let mama take care of them. Keep them separate for a couple weeks and all will be fine.

 

[Opa]

Great story

 

[Hopefully]

Quote:
Thanks for answering!

Yes, I noticed the little chicks absolutely love going underneath their mama. So since she's screeching a bit.. how many days should I leave her alone for? I would like to socialize with the chicks but maybe it's too early...?

I'm pretty sure she'll protect the chicks.. but the other hen is bigger. However, she and the hen have been together since I got them at 2 days old. They're best friends. They stick up for each other... not sure how it's going to be now since mama hen has been gone so long. That's what I'm worried about but by then the chicks will be bigger... and hopefully my other hen will be nice . In a couple weeks, when the weather gets better, can I introduce them like for a little bit each day? I'm thinking I should put the hen in a crate and let the mama hen and her chicks walk around the territory, so that I can see how the other hen reacts. What do you think?

 

[Hopefully]

Thanks everyone for answering!

UPDATE:

Woke up to hear them all peeping. I have them all in a old guinea pig cage, put in some hay, bedding (to make it like a nest) and she's messed around with everything to make it "perfect".

On one corner we have the water.
Right now we're using regular chicken food, but I'm going out today to get some chicken starter. Meanwhile, I noticed the mama is getting the regular chicken food, pecking it in half, and handing a smaller piece to each chick. She's breaking it up for them.. or at least that's what I think she's doing lol

She doesn't mind me watching as long as I don't reach my hand in or tower above her. So I have to sit down quietly and watch, which is not so bad.

They ate a bit, but she doesn't seem interested in her water yet. She hasn't touched it. I guess that will take time but she looks way better than yesterday: much dryer and happier looking, less stressed out than last night.

Her chicks are just adorable! (They're bantam chicks and super tiny, like little golf balls). I will post pics SOON!

Oh and real quick: Should I let her out of the nest at all to exercise outside? Or would a mother hen stay in her nest at all times? We don't want her flying around in the house but it seems cruel to keep her in the cage, even though she's a super small bantam and doesn't seem to mind.. but should she be let out to fly around a bit or get some air and then come back? Advice please?

 

[1stepcloser]

What an amazing mommy chicken!!!! I can't wait to see pics!

 

[Sunny Side Up]

Your hen would probably enjoy the opportunity to be outside in the dirt & grass with her chicks. She'll walk around & scratch up interesting things for her chicks to eat. Perhaps you can rig up a safe fenced area for her to spend the days with her chicks, you could even take the wire top off the guinea pig cage and place it on the ground for them to stay under.

Chicks raised with a Mama hen tend to be more wary of humans than brooder-raised chicks, but I think they're also smarter. You can gradually endear yourself to them by bringing them treats. Mama will let them know they're good to eat, and eventually they'll associate your approach with Something Good.

 

[Hopefully]

Very amazing... I'm still shocked

I was just watching them and noticed Mother Hen doesn't look very happy. Her chicks ARE happy and feisty, but she herself doesn't look overjoyed. The cage is a regular sized guinea pig cage, and I made it cozy like a nest and I have a blanket covering 3 of the sides for privacy, but i know my hen would rather be outside... but with the weather, I can't risk that with the chicks.

But my hen looks depressed. Or maybe she's just extremely tired. I let her walk around the room a little, she stretched, and then went back in the cage. But she looks not only sad but a bit frustrated since she's always been outdoors. But if I let her outside, she might want her chicks.... and if I leave the chicks in and keep her out, I feel that's cruel and I also might find it harder reintroducing them... see the pickle I'm in?

(Sigh)
Would she be happy taking a quick fly outside and then coming back in? Will she come back? Please answer... I need to know how long the chicks can be without warmth and if she can have a break outside or not. It's not raining right now but it is too cold for less than a week old chicks.

 

[Sunny Side Up]

The hen should do a fine job of keeping her chicks warm enough, no matter the outside temps. Didn't she do a good job of keeping them well even in the rainstorm? They'll walk around scratching & pecking, & every so often huddle under Mama's wings to warm up, then go back out again. Don't separate them, the chicks will screech and the hen will be frantic. Let them go out together and watch how they act.

 

[Hopefully]

Quote:
Oh! We posted at the same exact time.
The problem is that we're having bad weather right now.. otherwise I'd definitely let them be outside, not inside. But it's super windy with a chance of rain today... that's why I'm confused on what to do with the mama hen because I know she doesn't want to be in a cage all day!

Thanks for the advice

Like mealworms would be a treat, right?