Foster Parenting

 

 Scarlett and the late Capt. Butler, may he rest in pieces.

Last spring Jen purchased two silkies from Tractor Supply; they turned out to be a hen (Scarlett) and rooster (Captain Butler) .  Later in the year she purchased another rooster (Rhett) with a much better temperament thus Captain Butler made his final appearance in the post entitled “First Processing” and Rhett moved in with Scarlett.  We plan to breed these to hatch some of our own silkie chicks.  Silkies are known for being good brood hens (will hatch any eggs). Scarlett has become broody a couple of time but being so young has not stayed on eggs for the required 21 days plus she did this in the winter, when they are hard to keep warm. 

Recently I purchased 4 frizzle bantam chicks (4 weeks old) and 6 easter eggers (1 week old) that were all about the same size.  In the past when we moved some younger chicks into the coop we had let Scarlett tend to them as a foster mom but we were a little concerned on how Rhett would react.  With much hesitation: we elected not to put these in a brooder box but instead placed them in a cage outside that is now known as the “Nursery”.   Much to our surprise Rhett immediately began to help Scarlett with raising the chicks.  After dark as the evening begins to cool, if you look in the nursery, they will raise their wings letting you see all ten of the chicks.  Once you have had the chance to see them they will lower their wings and protect their foster chicks. 

   Scarlett, Rhett and the foster chicks

Many people have told me you MUST keep young chicks under a warming light starting at 95 degrees and drop it 5 degrees a week until the temperature is at 70 degrees for them at a minimum.  That would be 6 weeks provided the outside temperature does not drop below 70.  I do not completely agree with that as I believe that animals have natural instincts that help them survive; I believe we as people try to complicate their lives way too much.  In this case, I have never put these chicks under a light and they are all doing great living with their foster parents. 

Thanks Scarlett and Rhett.

Now to quote ever info-mercial “but wait there’s more!”  Today when we checked on the nursery, we noticed one of the frizzles had been picked on.  She had had some of the feathers pulled from her tail area and was red and swollen.  This will happen sometimes as the chickens try to establish the pecking order; even at a early age.  The best way for this to heel is isolation, we have had a few to go through this process.  Since this chick is so young we decided to put her in the house with some of the chicks I bought earlier this week at TSC these are just about 5 days old.  She has taken to the 5 day old bantams as if they were her chicks.  She is sitting in the corner with the bantams under her wings.  It is so cute as she is still a little chick herself but since they are younger she is trying to be the big sis. 

Frizzle chick and bantam chicks 

“Now you know the rest of the story.’ – Paul Harvey