One day-old chicks

[LestersFlat]

3 of my hens have been sitting on eggs in 2 nest boxes. I don't know how the 2 biggest ones fit in one box together, but they do.

Since they were not the best sitters in the beginning, I stole some of the eggs and took them to a friend with an incubator. 4 of the incubated eggs hatched yesterday. So here are all of my questions:

1) What's the best way to introduce the incubator chicks to the sitting hens who have still not hatched any? I tried just putting the chicks on the table in front of the 2-hen box, but the hen in the back reached over the other to peck at the chicks. For right now I have all 4 in a crate in the coop with food and water, but I would really prefer to have one of the hens raise them if I can. Someone suggested putting them under the hen at night, but having seen the pecking after only a few minutes, not sure I want to chance that...

2) I can't find any non-medicated chick starter, and I prefer not to use medicated feed. Can I just grind up some oats with cracked corn to last until I find the non-med starter feed? Is that better than giving them egg layer crumbles for a few days? I know they don't actually need food right away, but I might not be able to get the feed for another 2 days.

3) All my chickens are free range, locked in the coop at night. If I can get the chicks in with one or more of the hens, how long before I can let them out and free? I was thinking of locking one hen in the crate with them for a few days. Or should I just give them access to the outside from the beginning?

I think that covers my questions for now. I really appreciate any advice you have!

 

[HappyDancin']

I DO recommend trying at night. I did the exact same thing you did - I had this idea that my hens would see those fluffy little cutes and want to mother them immediately...but...no. She "hissed" and pecked at then when I let her see them during the day.I tried the following night, late and dark, (I was SO freaked out) I snuck them under her and she didn't even notice or move...

In the morning...before I even looked in the nest box I could hear her in there, cooing and purring to them, and them squeeking back to her... SO SO sweet!!!!

It is such a magical thing to watch a chicken show her maternal instincts. If you have the opportunity, I would definitely take advantage and use your Broody. Have faith that nature will take its course (it's worth it!) - and keep an eye out that first morning, just in case.

As far as free-ranging...I gave mine access from the start. I never separate my broodies (I seem to have a very sweet flock. Out of my 20 chickens, I'm lucky to have NO meanies or overly dominant birds)
Mama knows best. It's amazing to watch her regulate them and their needs. She will keep them under her the first week, then let them explore little by little, right by her side. She knows when they've been out for too long and will huddle them back up for warmth (and safety!) She'll slowly let them explore further, more and more. She'll integrate them with the flock.

Witnessing this mothering has been my most touching experiences with chickens.

Keep posting! I can't wait to hear what you try and how it goes!

 

[LestersFlat]

I am planning on going out in a bit to try to pick up one of the sitting hens and put her in the crate with the chicks. The problem with putting the chicks under a hen is that they are all in the nesting box up on a table. No place for food and water, and the chicks can easily fall off the table onto the floor. At least the floor is covered in hay, but then what does mama hen do—jump to stay with the fallen chick, or stay with the others?

Hoping to get one of the doubled up hens out of there so that the other 2 can sit on remaining eggs, even though I am doubtful that any of them will hatch at this point...

 

[HappyDancin']

Good plan! You'll have both hens and their babies to accommodate for. Will you use two crates, or have them share space?
Hopefully more eggs will hatch...a staggered hatch! Especially since both hens contributed eggs, over a few days, I assume. How many more eggs are there?

 

[LestersFlat]

Just now I was able to get the single Barred Rock hen into the crate with the 4 chicks. She seemed OK with them, although all were a bit confused by what was going on... I figured better to just turn the flashlight off and hope for the best. She had been sitting on only one egg and I put that in with her and the chicks.

The other 2 are still in the same box (photo in my first post). They were still looking all ornery and I didn't want to chance putting them in with the chicks. It is dark, but also raining and stormy, and I knew there was no way I would go back out later tonight...

So if the ornery 2 succeed in hatching any chicks, I will move them into a separate crate that I will leave open. I think they are sitting on about 10 eggs. Poor Barred girl only had one!

 

[CannedMonster]

Did she accept the chicks?

 

[LestersFlat]

I am pretty sure she is going to be good with raising them! Yay!

There were 2 chicks eating and drinking, and the other 2 still under her when I went out this morning. When I opened the crate to change food and water, she was squawking and pecking at the chicks, but I think she was protecting them from me. One of them ran and hid under her. Until I see all 4, I won't know what's going on for sure, but I think this is going well.

Since I still don't have any starter feed, I am giving them a combination of cracked corn and egg layer feed.

Anybody have any ideas about adding some oats in there? Maybe even cook up some oatmeal?

 

[HappyDancin']

Yay! Sounds pretty good... I hope all four are accepted by your BR hen! Post pictures when you can - babies with mama bird pictures...SO sweet!

Nutritionally, I know layer fed isn't really the correct ratio of vitamins for them (too much calcium, not enough protein). But until you can get some starter feed, I think it should be okay to go for layer... Do you have meal worms? I've crushed up dried mealies to help give additional protein. They don't need a lot of variety when they are little, but they will need to get enough protein and sustenance. Chop the oats...you can cook it, but don't have to. Hopefully it won't be long, right?...When are you able to get some starter feed?

And how about those eggs under your other two?

 

[CannedMonster]

If you’re giving these chicks anything other than chicken feed you need to be sure they have access to grit.
Are they located in a place where there’s dirt, tiny gravel, etc.?
How soon can you get chick starter?
They’re very tiny and too much calcium can be harmful.
Scrambled eggs minced very small is a very good food for them until you get the chick starter.

 

[HappyDancin']

If you’re giving these chicks anything other than chicken feed you need to be sure they have access to grit.
Are they located in a place where there’s dirt, tiny gravel, etc.?
How soon can you get chick starter?
They’re very tiny and too much calcium can be harmful.
Scrambled eggs minced very small is a very good food for them until you get the chick starter.

Yes! Good post, chooksnquilts. Scrambled eggs or hard boiled eggs all chopped up. My little ones love the hard-boiled yolks (I give it as a treat though, with primarily chick starter feed). And chick grit is smart too (or tiny rocks/sand, if you don't have access to chick grit either).
DO try to get chick starter asap