The Accidental Smallholder Forum
Livestock => Poultry & Waterfowl => Topic started by: Chrissie on May 15, 2015, 11:27:09 am
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Hiya,
I need some advice please. We have two broody hens (mother and daughter) who have been sharing a joint batch of 13 eggs (each sitting on a few but I think they reshuffle daily...)
So 2 days ago 1 chick hatched - both of the hens still contiune to sit on the eggs. One hen now comes out to feed and encourages the chick to follow and eat but it just sits under the wings of the other hen (who also looks exactly like the other). Is this chick confused? Why is it not following the other hen / mother who is calling it? We have had chicks for several years now and every time the hatch and mummy calls they come running. I am worried that it will starve because it is not eating or drinking - or will it eventually go out when it gets really hungry?
Or should be separate the hens and take them off one batch of eggs so one can be with the chick? (Unfortunately they also started sitting a couple of weeks apart so I have no idea which egg belongs to which chicken and how far on they are....)
argh...confusion..... :-\
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We've had hens 'sharing' eggs and chicks several times and they've all grown up successfully, seeming to relate to both mums. In fact, last year, we had one chick with three mums and they all looked after it with no fighting! Keep an eye on the chick, but it can survive two to three days after hatching without food. Just ensure that you keep some chick crumbs, some small grit and water nearby so that it can reach them easily when it needs to feed and drink. Good luck - hope they're all reared successfully. Keep us posted! Janet
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:thumbsup: thank you! Will keep you posted :)
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I put chick crumbs & water in with the hens & chicks so they dont have to come out side to start with. Then leave the mums to it.
We have just hatched 5 with 2 broody hens and they seem completely interchangeable.
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thanks - yes that seems the case - they all mix and match - now we have 4 chicks running around between the two mums, one of which does the nursery part and the other one still sitting on eggs which are still hatching - very sweet :love:
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that's so nice. Your chicks are going to get a great start in life