Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat
Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: NormandyMary on June 18, 2009, 20:02
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Hello everyone, I'm back!
Had such a surprise this afternoon, when I went to clean the chooks out. I had had two broodies sitting on 4 eggs each, though to be honest, I wasnt expecting anything. Well...suddenly a little head appeared out from under my light sussex, then another, then another two from the black rock. So now Im the very proud owner of 2 yellow and 2 ginger chicks. I legged it to the pet centre to get some chick food and an appropriate feeder and put a suitable water feeder down. They have all had a drink and a good feed, although they did try to eat their mum's food first.
On a sad note though, this evening, after a day of lethargy, my oldest and dearest hen Brownie passed away.
A tale of two emotions today I think.
Is there anything else I should be doing for the babes? They are still in the main hen house, as the mothers made their nests on the floor. They seem quite happy there.
Thanks,
Mary.
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so sorry to hear about your loss of Brownie :(
but so very very pleased about your four little ones :D, mums will know what to do with them, yeah, don't forget the photo's xx
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Hi Mary
Sorry to hear about Brownie :(
But great news about the little ones :D
Only thing that would concern me is them being all together with the other adult hens, they could attack the babies :(
Sarah :)
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I would move them to a seperate pen.
Michelle
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Good advice above, I have had older hens hurst chicks so I always move them into a seperate pen now.
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Aah well that's where the problem is, as I dont have a second henhouse. When I put them to bed tonight, the other two hens and Monty (the father) were well away from the brood. The mothers are very defensive. Ill just have to keep a very close eye on them and jump into action should the need arise. My henhouse is a 5 foot square cube, so there is plenty of room to keep them apart if necessary.