Chicks hatched outside coop HELP

[SquatchingNC]

Kind of a long story

We have both ducks and chickens in 1 coop. 6 ducks, the chickens (3 hens 1 rooster) came later. They free range, we had tons of issues getting the chickens in at night. The were wild when we recused the chickens, they prefer to sleep in a tree.

Anyway, we thought 1 got eaten as it disappeared. Come to find out she had a clutch, and we now have 8 chicks. Very exciting but now I’m not sure how to proceed.

I’m building a dedicated chicken coop today. Should I try to put all the chicks, hens and rosters in? Or separate out the chicks, put the hens and roosters in? Or put just the momma hen and chicks in for now?

 

[Ridgerunner]

Where does the broody hen take the chicks to sleep at night? Back to the coop or somewhere else? You may not know yet.

How big is your coop and your run, if you have a run? If it is 4 or 5 times bigger than the recommendations you see on here I'd probably try moving the hen and chicks in there after dark if she doesn't take them in there on her own.

But you are building a new coop today anyway, to be dedicated to chickens only, no ducks. I'd lock the hen and chicks in there for a week, long enough for them to consider it home. Then I'd try to move the other chickens over. I assume it is not tiny.

Good luck!

 

[SquatchingNC]

Where does the broody hen take the chicks to sleep at night? Back to the coop or somewhere else? You may not know yet.

How big is your coop and your run, if you have a run? If it is 4 or 5 times bigger than the recommendations you see on here I'd probably try moving the hen and chicks in there after dark if she doesn't take them in there on her own.

But you are building a new coop today anyway, to be dedicated to chickens only, no ducks. I'd lock the hen and chicks in there for a week, long enough for them to consider it home. Then I'd try to move the other chickens over. I assume it is not tiny.

Good luck!

Thanks! We have 13, just caught them all. I’m kinda in shock.

Yes, i was thinking the same. It’s a 10’ by 10’ coop (we use chain link dog kennel, lined w hardware cloth, roofed w livestock paneling, half covered w tin). I have the nesting box in there.

I guess I’ll let the rooster and other 2 hens their freedom for another week.

 

[Yardmom]

You will need to home the chickens to the new coop. To do this you may need to lock them in for at least a week. I would recommend locking mom, chicks, roo, and hens together if your space is sufficient. The integration will be harder if you wait to move the older birds in.

 

[SquatchingNC]

Any concern of rooster attacking chicks? He’s pretty tame all the way around (why he’s still around).

 

[Ridgerunner]

Any concern of rooster attacking chicks? He’s pretty tame all the way around (why he’s still around).

Not from me. You are dealing with living animals so you don't get guarantees, but my roosters are much more likely to help Mama take cares of the kids than attack the kids.

I've never seen a rooster attack chicks. Most of the time the rooster ignores them but I have seen a few roosters help the broody out a few times. Once your cockerels hit puberty and start harassing the hens that changes, but not while they are still chicks.