--- In 'Putting chicks under hens' ---
CathrynTherese wrote:
> ...There is a 2 week window with chicks to imprint on them. They'll have you and their mother hen.
> Cathryn rainbowsilkiesTM in Michigan
I wanted to separate my newly hatched chicks from the mother hen so that I could put them on medicated feed and the mother hen would not get over medicated but everyone told me to 'Let mama do it' so those now 2-week old chicks and the mother hen are on umedicated feed separated from the main flock.
Also, it is very important to me to socialize my chicks. I got a group of eighteen mixed breed 1-day old chicks from the feed store and hand raised them. They are 2-months old now and when I go sit in their pen, they jump all over me and want me to pet & pick them up.
My questions are:
* If I feed the mother hen & chicks unmedicated feed, what should I be giving to the newly hatched chicks as needed vaccinations? I assume that I need to give it to each chick as a separate 1-time dose.
* Also, it is important to me to socialize my chicks. The 1st mother hen and her chicks are now 2 weeks old and it is near impossible to catch them (even tho they are in their own enclosure) and the mother hen is still very protective. How do you all imprint on your newly hatched chicks during your 2-week window of time while 'Letting mama do it'?
* I have 5 more batches of eggs under broody hens. Today is day 21 for one of them and I can see five little chicks so far sticking their heads out of the mother hen this morning. How do I imprint on them along while 'letting mama do it'? Do I take the mother hen away for short periods of time daily while I handle the chicks? It sounds like it's already too late on my 1st batch.
* Also, how long do I need to keep my 2-month old feed store chicks on the medicated feed?
Sorry for all the questions.
Jennie
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