duchess Posted August 23, 2012 Share Posted August 23, 2012 Hi there, out of 12 eggs placed under broody 2 hatched but unfortunately one died ( think it got squashed under the other eggs) so that leaves me with only one chick who is doing very well and is 3 days old now. Has anyone any suggestions what to do when the time comes for mother to leave the chick? Ive used this broody before and she had enough when the chicks were 5 weeks Old. Should I get another couple of chicks around the same age to keep the new chick company? Wouldn't like to put her in with all the big girls too soon. Any advice would be much appreciated. Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
miller30 Posted August 24, 2012 Share Posted August 24, 2012 Hi if mum is out and about with chick and she knows no more eggs are going to hatch i would say its to late to add any as she will kill them the chick will be fine on its own with mum i would wait until the mum wants to leave and then get another of the same age leanne Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duchess Posted August 24, 2012 Author Share Posted August 24, 2012 Thanks Leanne. I will try get a couple around the same age when mom decides she's had enough! Anyone know where I can get Welsummer chicks in Scotland?!! x Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jeshen Posted August 26, 2012 Share Posted August 26, 2012 Hi! Exactly the same happened to me. Out of 4 eggs, only one hatched. The chick stayed with its foster mother for 6 weeks, when I bought another chick of the same breed and age, and the mother returned to the flock. The 2 chicks have stayed separately from the others in their own hutch and run (in sight of the other hens) until 11 weeks old, although they've free-ranged with them all on a daily basis and have found all the good places to hide! A few nights ago I went to shut the eglu and the hutch for the night and found that everybody - chicks included - had crammed into the eglu together - and they've been doing that ever since. Was a bit worried the next morning that the little ones might have been bossed around overnight so got up at 6am to let them all out, but there were no problems. Good luck! It's a nice excuse to get more hens!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
duchess Posted August 26, 2012 Author Share Posted August 26, 2012 Thankyou jeshen. I'll get a companion or two around the same age when mom decides to leave! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
