[Vonnie]

I know I am not at the stage but I want to be prepared!!! Over the past 3 days my 2 broodies have hatched 6 adorable chicks, 4 Crested Cream Legbars and 2 Copper Black Marans.  Thing is they (broodies & chicks) are currently in a separate area to my other 3 hens and I need to know what needs to be done in regards to:

1. When do i put the broodies back in with the other hens
2. When should I introduce the chicks to the other hens
3. Are there special needs that need to be in place before i introduce them

Also my 2 broodies dont seem to mind whos chicks they are keeping warm and like wise my chicks seem to think they have 2 mums!!! Is this normal?

I am a total worrier hense the info in advance!!!!Sorry
Vonnie

[kitkat]

Hi Vonnie, i always seperate broodies, i think most people do but not everyone and if your happy with the way things are dont worry.
    As for introducing to the others we all do different things then as well, the broodies will want to go back with the others eventually . If i feel secure i supervise and let babies out with mum, it also depends on the other hens and whether you want to keep everything seperate. 

[janeheritage]

My broody Ethel raised 3 lovely little Cream Legbar girls this summer.

We kept them separate from the big girls in their own box until they were about 2 weeks old (just letting Mum out for stretches etc); then we got them a couple of arks so they could go out on the grass, and kept them under cover that way until they were 5 weeks or so.

From 5 weeks we let them range with Ethel and the rest of our little flock and they were fine. 2 of the girls were rehomed at 10 weeks and the remaining girl, Barbara, is doing well with all the others. She still sticks with Mum and the top and bottom chook of our flock pick on her something awful, but they have plenty of space (so she can always get away) and as she grows they seem to tolerate her better.

I think if they are free ranging it is a lot easier (though the little ones are vulnerable, our local buzzard hung around for a while).

Good luck! 

[Vonnie]

Thanks for the ideas.  Currently we have to 2 mums and the chicks in alarge rabbit hutch and we have a waterproof cover for the hutch which is proving useful with the awful weather we are having.  I have made a barrier around the hutch using wicker hedging that keeps of the wind and also gives them some saftey from our other pets.  We are making a run tommorrow to go onto the hutch for them all to use so we should be fine.  When I opened up the hutch at tea time today they all legged out of it, it was crazy they were all over the place, they are so lively.  At 5 days old now they are really begining to get some confidence. 
Vonnie

[janeheritage]

Piccies?!!!

[Vonnie]

Will get some pictures for you hopefully tommorrow as we have had to stop the build as the weather is horrid.  Mind you the chicks and mums are really getting on well in fact they are way more advanced than I ever thought they would be.  The chicks spens lots of time on the mums backs, it great to watch.  We have made a 8 foot long run for them and just have to secure it to the hutch.  This will be there home for the next few weeks.  The run is in the same section of garden as my other 3 girls and their 15 foot run and hen house.  My other 3 girls have run of the garden when I am outdoors and spend most of the time making dust baths in my veggie patch, when they are not destroying my leaks and they spend time talking to the broodies and their chicks through the wire.  Hopefully they will get used to them being around for when the big introduction arrives!!!!!
Vonnie