| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| MariaAZ |
Posted - Apr 17 2007 : 1:45:01 PM
I'm hoping someone with lots of chicken experience can comment. We purchased a few chicks a couple weeks ago to help our 7 year old hen, Tammy, keep the bugs in check in the back yard. The babies have been kept indoors, but since they are feathering nicely I took them outside while I cleaned their cage and set them in a pen where Tammy could see but not peck at them.
Tammy was very interested in the chicks, and was clucking softly as she tried to get in the pen. She pecked at the babies as they got close to the wire, but not a sharp aimed peck like when she tries picking freckles off my legs; more like out of curiosity (or maybe testing.) As she walked away from the pen, her clucking would get louder as if she were calling the chicks to follow. She also showed great interest in where they were picking on the ground. They were oblivous to the girl, as they are more imprinted on people.
I don't have so much experience with chickens as to know how to tell if this is a maternal reaction, or if she is feeling threatened. I don't plan on introducing everyone until the babies are fully fledged out and they're quite comfortable in their outdoor pen (Tammy roams the yard freely, I am hoping that these girls can do so when they're big enough to defend themselves.) However, I'm just thinking if this is a sign of acceptance, introducing everyone won't be as troublesome as I've been anticipating!
Visit my blog at www.craftyfool.net |
| 8 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Alee |
Posted - Apr 20 2007 : 8:23:16 PM
It is so interesting to see babies mature. I bet Tammy will be glad for their company this summer.
Alee |
| MariaAZ |
Posted - Apr 20 2007 : 8:10:15 PM
Tammy is less interested in them now. They are three weeks old today, I'm looking forward to when they are old enough to put in a coop outside! They are very cute and very friendly, but I'm ready to have them out of doors :) It's amazing how quickly they grow... they were just little puffballs only a few weeks ago and now they look like little hens!
Visit my blog at www.craftyfool.net |
| Alee |
Posted - Apr 20 2007 : 5:55:09 PM
How is the hen and the chicks?
Alee |
| Aunt Jenny |
Posted - Apr 17 2007 : 8:49:14 PM
I would just keep taking it slow and hopefully when they are as big as her she will accept them and they will be used to her. I am glad you realize how mean they can be to each other..it is awful....a gradual thing will be best for sure...does sound like she may accept them though!
Jenny in Utah
Inside me there is a skinny woman crying to get out...but I can usually shut her up with cookies
http://www.auntjennysworld.blogspot.com/ visit my little online shop at www.auntjenny.etsy.com |
| MariaAZ |
Posted - Apr 17 2007 : 6:32:47 PM
Tammy's a Silver Laced Wyandotte. I don't want to let everyone run together just yet because I've seen what an angry/threatened chicken can do, and do very quickly. I'm just hoping when it's time for everyone to be together that it's not TOO traumatic for the grand dam. I'm hoping she's happy to have company; Olivia the Australorp died awhile back and Tammy has been the "solo chicken".
Visit my blog at www.craftyfool.net |
| EmmJay |
Posted - Apr 17 2007 : 6:20:59 PM
What type of hen is Tammy? I had a barred Rock after another hatched, take the baby and I would have thought he was hers,,,,if I had not known better. She was better with the little one than any others, and would protect against the others as well.
MJ
"Thank GOD I'm a country girl"
http://s119.photobucket.com/albums/o134/EmmJay07/ |
| LadyCrystal |
Posted - Apr 17 2007 : 5:46:05 PM
It is hard to say which way it would go. I have had hens never lay and egg and go broody and hatch a clutch of chicks and be a great Mom and I have had a hen set on her own eggs and hatch them and then have her kill every single one. I definately would wait until they are full grown before you introduce them. Good luck,
Alicia
http://fromcitytocountrygirl.blogspot.com/
follow your dreams |
| Alee |
Posted - Apr 17 2007 : 5:22:39 PM
Maria-
I don't have any knowledge of chickens- but it does sound promising, doesn't it? I bet your little chicks are terribly cute! I hope you will post pictures of them running around sometime!
Good luck with the introductions!
Ciao
Alee
|
