Replacing Eggs with Chicks

[Bantam1992]

I joined this forum to identify my lavender pekins but since I’ve found so much helpful advice and I wanted to post an update.

Here’s my little story of how we got our girls to take to some new chicks-

Last time I posted my girls were on adopted eggs (as we don’t have a cock).

Unfortunately the eggs didn’t hatch, we’ve popped them in an incubator just in case but they’re well overdue.

Before I removed them I swapped with some pekin chicks (mottled and white) and I was super worried about her taking to them or smothering them after reading some horror stories online.

When it was dark I snook into the coop and swapped the eggs for the chicks and went to bed. (I actually had a nightmare that I found them dead)

Anyway, this morning I went in and the chicks were cosy underneath her, occasionally popping out and running back under mum. Mum was chirping away to them and gently pushing them under her.

I’m over the moon! I’m not sure if I’m lucky or this is the norm but I’m so proud of my girls. We’re going to have a lot of fun over the next few weeks.

Finally, does anyone have any advice as to separate mums food from baby’s? I don’t want the chicks trying to eat the pellets.

Thanks! I hope this somehow helps someone who is thinking of doing the same! I’d love to hear your stories too!

 

[Altfrizzle]

Mom will be fine on chick starter. Just offer oyster shells for calcium

 

[Coop de Grass]

I joined this forum to identify my lavender pekins but since I’ve found so much helpful advice and I wanted to post an update.

Finally, does anyone have any advice as to separate mums food from baby’s? I don’t want the chicks trying to eat the pellets.

Thanks! I hope this somehow helps someone who is thinking of doing the same! I’d love to hear your stories too!

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Congratulations on your foster hen!!! I love how hens instinctively know what to do with eggs and chicks even when they've never hatched them before. It is absolutely amazing!

If you have the chicks and the hen separated from the flock, you need to feed the hen chick feed. Chicks cannot handle layer feed. If the hen and chicks are mixed in with the flock (I haven't separated mine the last few times) the hen will eventually bring them out and they will have access to the flock feed. Then it is important that the entire flock get starter/grower feed. If you do that then you need to put out calcium and the hens will eat it as needed.

You are right that this is a wonderful place to find information! Good luck!

 

[drumstick diva]

Beautiful surrogate mama - and chick