fuzzydoguk Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 Help please, my broody silkie who refused to leave the coop has just hatched her first chick, the chick looks and sounds fine but what do I do now! Do I take the chick out and put her in the house? do i try and take the mum and the chick and the eggs out and put them indoors / shed or just leave nature to take it course At the mo the broody mum is doing a grand job sat on the rest of the eggs and her baby and REALLY doesnt like me messing Help!!! thanks James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 I would leave her on the eggs ntil whatever wll hatch has hatched Is she on her own or are there other chickens about? Moving her with the eggs is not a good idea so if there are other chickens about try to block them from the nest f the coop is exposed some feed sacks or covers stapled or bungeed to the run sides will provide some shelter Once the hatching has stopped I would move the family to a hutch or indoor area for some extra shelter Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 gosh.... was it a surprise hatch? I suppose if you didn't realise she was sitting on eggs it must have made it impossible to plan for! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzydoguk Posted November 23, 2009 Author Share Posted November 23, 2009 Thanks for the help, ive managed to divide the coop up now and mother,baby and eggs are doing well so far. Ive added a little crumb and a shallow plate of water and stones to the area and hand fed mum some corn and pellets. my only issue now is that she is on a few eggs (5 i think) that are a mix of silkie bantam and bluebelle so they will take different periods to hatch right? Im guessing i just sit sight for a few days and watch what happens, if no more eggs hatch by the weekend and the little one is still with us do i then remove him to a box indoors or what? im not sure about leaving the hen with her as she has nipped at him a few times when he has popped out from under her thanks James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted November 23, 2009 Share Posted November 23, 2009 They should hatch 2 or 3 days apart. If it were me I'd try and leave the chick with her if she starts to be ok with it, but maybe bring them both into a hutch in a shed or garage to keep them warm ... but best to wait to see if any others hatch first then move them over A few pecks are ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Egluntyne Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 Did you do no research before hatching? Unless you have a brooder, I would leave the chick with its mother. She will know what is best. To be honest, this isn't the best time of year to be hatching. The coldest weather will be upon us when the chicks are old enough to venture out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzydoguk Posted November 24, 2009 Author Share Posted November 24, 2009 Thanks everyone, Its a fair point I did reserach what I would do if they were boys (local farmer/breeder will have them) I did try and move the broody hen off the eggs several times but she wasnt having it and I did try putting her in the exclusion pen in the shed to sit on her eggs but she went mad which in turn set all the others off which the neighbours didnt love. Im definately learning as I go but im trying to focus on the animals welfare at all times Im sorry if i've upset anyone by trying to hatch now and realise im setting my self up for some tricky times. Right im off to dig out the tortoises spare heated mat and a UV lamp for the chicks James Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Dogmother Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 As the others have said, it's best to leave them with the mother as she will provide for them, but the run will need to be covered and insulated against the cold and wet. It's not the best time of the year to be hatching TBH. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lewis Posted November 24, 2009 Share Posted November 24, 2009 I'm not sure a heat mat and UV light are the best things? If the UV is anything like ours, its a tube and doesn't get too hot - you'd be better off with a reflector bulb or standard light bulb. If the hen is sheltered and out of any drafts she should be ok to provide enough heat Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
