[janeheritage]

My broody Ethel now has 3 lovely little Cream Legbar girl babies, thanks to Tracy at Southmead Poultry.

They are eating chick crumbs. I'm trying to keep up Ethel's strength by giving her corn by hand, but since the babies came she keeps trying to feed them the corn - nibbling it and dropping it in front of them. I'm afraid it might be too big for their little tracts.

Should I keep her on chick crumbs too for now? What do you recommend?

Here's their picture by the way (I'm so proud)  :happy:

[joyfull]

mine are on chick crumbs, mixed corn, sweetcorn (which they love and until they can manage to break it off them selves both mums peck it off for them and spit it out - older ones peck it for themselves now), plus the odd mealworm treat 

[janeheritage]

You're up and about early on Sunday Joyfull!! 

[joyfull]

noisy blackbirds wake me up at 5 every morning!!!
plus the fact after the bullying of the new chickens I would sooner let all the hens out early so there is less chance of it happening again 

[Foxy]

morning everyone!
I just let mum eat chick crumb, full of energy and protein to help build her strength up.

[suep]

Hi all I am also hoping to have my first chicks in a weeks time but I dont know if it is ok to leave mum and chick in with the other hens .We only have 4 hens and they all get on well together.When the ckicks come should I put her on he own with them ?if I do leave them together do i have to feed them all baby chick food
Thanks

Susan

[joyfull]

Sorry, but mum and eggs should be moved into a seperate broody coop as the other hens could kill the babies. Feed mum and babies chick crumbs and water as they will need the nutrients for growing and the layers need their own food specifically for laying (unless you have researched making your own like one member does on here and so does my chicken supplier) .

[Vember]

Best to keep them separate, a nice little house with a secure run
Also best for the run to have a roof on as even though they will have a Mum to watch out for them magpies & crows are quick  


Sarah

[suep]

thank you .im glad I asked .I have a small run and house that I can put them in .How long should they stay there for? CanI let mum out for a run on her own or should they just stay in the small run all day.

Susan

[joyfull]

my mums both want to stay with their chicks to teach them and protect. They also sit down and let them snuggle under them