Surprise baby!

[Nicole223]

Hey all, just joined to seek advice. I have a degree in Animal Science, but it's been quite a few years since my chicken class and I've not been in this situation before so I'm seeking the wisdom of the crowd.

I have a very small flock at this point (2 buff orpington hens, a wyanndotte hen, and a silkie rooster) and as of this morning a surprise baby. I'm embarrassed that I didn't see the wayward egg, and didn't notice brooding behavior until last night. Regardless, we now have a cute lil surprise chick and mama (one of the orpingtons, of course) is doing a great job keeping her safe, but nobody seems to care anyways. I'm ill-prepared and hoping for advice for easy care. With such a good mama, can they stay with the flock? Space is limited and finding room for reintroducing to the flock later presents issues. Mama chose a spot under the coop for her and baby last night when she was I suppose hatching, and it seems like a good place to set up resources for them. Any advice on set up? Water, chicken mash, cozy shelter... what am I forgetting? Things to beware of? I'm a planner, and have no plan right now! Help!

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

I'n no expert but since you have a small flock and the hens and rooster doesn't seem to care about the little feller, I'd just let them be and hope momma hen does her job of protecting the small fry should things get out of hand. Also make sure the little runt can access water and food easily by not hanging them where it can't access. What kind of feed do you have? Make sure the feed is small enough so the little booger doesn't choke on it, you can always grind the feed down with a blender if it's pellets..... wetting the crumbles is a good idea too.

 

[Alexander2000]

Hey all, just joined to seek advice. I have a degree in Animal Science, but it's been quite a few years since my chicken class and I've not been in this situation before so I'm seeking the wisdom of the crowd.

I have a very small flock at this point (2 buff orpington hens, a wyanndotte hen, and a silkie rooster) and as of this morning a surprise baby. I'm embarrassed that I didn't see the wayward egg, and didn't notice brooding behavior until last night. Regardless, we now have a cute lil surprise chick and mama (one of the orpingtons, of course) is doing a great job keeping her safe, but nobody seems to care anyways. I'm ill-prepared and hoping for advice for easy care. With such a good mama, can they stay with the flock? Space is limited and finding room for reintroducing to the flock later presents issues. Mama chose a spot under the coop for her and baby last night when she was I suppose hatching, and it seems like a good place to set up resources for them. Any advice on set up? Water, chicken mash, cozy shelter... what am I forgetting? Things to beware of? I'm a planner, and have no plan right now! Help!

 

[deepbluesea]

Welcome! And congratulations on your baby, surprise though it is! Buffs are usually good mamas, from what I understand, so she'll likely take care of her baby at least for the first few weeks. Setting up water and food stations will be good, just make sure she has an escape route if the others come to share.

 

[Nicole223]

I'n no expert but since you have a small flock and the hens and rooster doesn't seem to care about the little feller, I'd just let them be and hope momma hen does her job of protecting the small fry should things get out of hand. Also make sure the little runt can access water and food easily by not hanging them where it can't access. What kind of feed do you have? Make sure the feed is small enough so the little booger doesn't choke on it, you can always grind the feed down with a blender if it's pellets..... wetting the crumbles is a good idea too.

That's my inclination, too. I got some chick mash and I'll put my old waterer at ground level since I have a raised nipple set up for water installed that she can't reach. Thank you. I'm in California so our nights drop to 60 degrees at the coldest lately. I'll give them a warm shelter underneath the coop (baby cant get in and wouldn't want her to fall out) but mama should keep her plenty warm with body heat, right?

 

[Nicole223]

Welcome! And congratulations on your baby, surprise though it is! Buffs are usually good mamas, from what I understand, so she'll likely take care of her baby at least for the first few weeks. Setting up water and food stations will be good, just make sure she has an escape route if the others come to share.

Thank you!

 

[Shamo Hybrid]

That's my inclination, too. I got some chick mash and I'll put my old waterer at ground level since I have a raised nipple set up for water installed that she can't reach. Thank you. I'm in California so our nights drop to 60 degrees at the coldest lately. I'll give them a warm shelter underneath the coop (baby cant get in and wouldn't want her to fall out) but mama should keep her plenty warm with body heat, right?

Yeah, momma hen should keep the runt warm enough....... as far as water goes, you will have to take the little guy's beak and put it into the water so that he knows how to drink it.