Last year I bought some chicks - raised them and have been collecting eggs for eating. My chickens run free and only come to the coop for food, water, & the nesting boxes (where I get my eggs). I kindof figured they would find a place of their own and hatch some whether I wanted baby chicks or not. Well, one did and now there are 10 chicks running around. I caught the hen and her chicks and put them in the cage I originally built for the original group. I don't know what to do now. I went and got chick feed. How long do I leave them with their mother? I found another nest with 15 eggs in it. So I am expecting to find more chicks soon. Thanks for any advice.
Some people leave them with their mother and others take them in and brooder them theirselves. It is up to you.
The mother will reject them after about the 6 th week. Many mothers will stay with the chicks much longer. You will not have to do anything but allow her to get out of the cage when she starts to shoo away her chicks. After about 6 weeks in warm weather they don't need mom anymore. By about the 3rd or fourth week they can't all get under mom anymore and have to take turns in cold weather.
By Anonymous on Tuesday, April 9, 2002 - 11:47 am:
If you do not want the chicks, you could sell them or give them away
By Rokimoto on Tuesday, April 9, 2002 - 02:52 pm: