Isabel Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Our chicks will be three weeks old this weekend and Mum is moulting. Is this normal? The run has a carpet of feathers and when she shakes they flutter to the ground. Should I be giving her any supplements? She lost a little but not too much condition whilst broody and is eating and drinking fine now. Also, with regard to the chicks. Having lost one at a few days to a magpie, I'm paranoid now! They're in a covered run but Mum is itching to get out and free-range. What age would anyone recommend before I let them have some very supervised access to the garden? Actually, that scares me as the chicks are so fast I can't imagine being able to catch them if they won't come in again Thanks Isabel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redwing Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 yes its normal for the broody to moult when her chicks are 3 weeks plus I'd be worried about free ranging them. maybe let them out close to bed time so the time to free range is restricted or get a puppy type pen and cover it with mesh maybe? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kirstie Posted June 1, 2012 Share Posted June 1, 2012 Hi Isabel, Belle is moulting like mad too so I guess it's normal? I'm not sure about supplements, but I'm sure someone who knows more will be along to say something soon. I don't think belle or the chicks are eating that much of the chick crumbs as I'm not haing to top it up often - they are eating lots and lots of grass and clover! Not sure how to stop that? And belle gives them all her treats! Belle is wanting to have a bit more space (although not from her chicks) and if I open the door for anything is trying to get out - I have had a few mad panic episodes of me running across the garden to get some treats to get her back! And the chicks are super quick. I think if you are brave thinking about supervised free ranging as getting the chicks back in is a huge risk! but I guess as long as mum is easy to get back in then they should come too? Have you any ideas on what sex your chicks are? Mine are all boys! They are fighting loads and have the tell tale lovely largish pink combs. This isn't a problem as we will be brave and raise them for the table ( ) but I'm not sure if they are fighting now if they will be ok to keep together? How is your mum behaving? Belle has turned nasty in the last week - whenever I put my hand in the run to get the water and feeder she pecks me and tries to kick me! I'm worried she's teaching them bad behaviour (esp as my cockeral from last years hatch did that behaviour whenever someone went in the chicken area! He's now in chicken heaven) Sorry I've droned on and not really answered your questions x Glad your chicks are doing well Kirstie Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sjp Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 I started FR my current brood Monday (they were a week old Wednesday) getting them back in isn't hat hard it just takes a bit of time the best way is to catch a couple and start to take them back to their run once you turn around and they can't see mom they start to cheep very loudly mom soon starts to run after you the rest of the chicks follow mom luckerly I only have to do this with Hope as she is far to chilled out this year. as for the boys fighting it shouldn't last to long once they settle the pecking order then you just get to odd get out of my way I'm higher up the order type of pecking it's the girls I find take longer to sort things out Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
laurmurf Posted June 2, 2012 Share Posted June 2, 2012 I've never free ranged our chicks. They have either an eglu run or a small walk in run to wander about in. I keep their mum with them until she's ready to leave (it's been 8 weeks + in every hatch) then i keep them together until the boys start getting ideas then i separate out the boys and girls. Put since i free range my other chooks I wouldn't want the chicks to be hurt by the rest of the flock so don't free range them at all until they are old enough and big enough to stand up for themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Isabel Posted June 6, 2012 Author Share Posted June 6, 2012 Apologies! I ought to have taken the time before now to say thanks for the advice. Still feathers everywhere but interestingly all the feathers she plucked out when sitting on the eggs have grown back. I shan't let Mum or babies out yet. They will be 4 weeks old this weekend so I suppose she won't stick with them for much longer. They've got so big. Am fairly confident I have one girl (yeah!) and one boy (cue arguments with children as boys were always destined for the table ) Thanks again Isabel Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
