- Aug 1, 2012
- 22
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I have an existing flock of one rooster and 11 hens; mixture of Brahmas, Barred Rock, and Easter Eggers. I went to the store and picked up 6 more chicks to grow the flock and have them in a brooder right next to the existing coop. 4 days later I suspect one of my hens is brooding some eggs, which turns out to be just one egg. My wife convinces me to let her continue.
Now we are 3 weeks into the future at present day. I have my 11 old girls (and boy), 6 three-and-a-half weeks old chicks and 1 day-old chick. The mother is territorial of the coop and the entire flock (including the rooster) is relegated to half of the coop, while she and her baby occupy the other half. Problem is that that she is occupying the egg laying stations. Which of the following should I do?
1. Take the baby away from the mom and stick it in the brooder with the other 6 chicks?; I'm assuming mom will get over the loss of her chick and move on. The flock will be normal until I introduce the chicks in a few weeks.
2. Let the mom take care of the chick?; I'm assuming the mom will do all of the work, but I won't be assured that the chick is consuming chick crumbles or even getting water.
3. Set up a separate brooder for the lone chick?; This would be complicated because I don't have the room for this, but I'll do it if there is strong opinion here that this is the way to go.
4. Go get a couple of baby chicks and put them all together in 2nd brooder?; (Rolling-Eyes) More chicks? Really?
Any other choices I'm not thinking of?
Cosmo
Now we are 3 weeks into the future at present day. I have my 11 old girls (and boy), 6 three-and-a-half weeks old chicks and 1 day-old chick. The mother is territorial of the coop and the entire flock (including the rooster) is relegated to half of the coop, while she and her baby occupy the other half. Problem is that that she is occupying the egg laying stations. Which of the following should I do?
1. Take the baby away from the mom and stick it in the brooder with the other 6 chicks?; I'm assuming mom will get over the loss of her chick and move on. The flock will be normal until I introduce the chicks in a few weeks.
2. Let the mom take care of the chick?; I'm assuming the mom will do all of the work, but I won't be assured that the chick is consuming chick crumbles or even getting water.
3. Set up a separate brooder for the lone chick?; This would be complicated because I don't have the room for this, but I'll do it if there is strong opinion here that this is the way to go.
4. Go get a couple of baby chicks and put them all together in 2nd brooder?; (Rolling-Eyes) More chicks? Really?
Any other choices I'm not thinking of?
Cosmo