baby chicks, ducklings, goslings, poults free range

[CarolynEarley]

We live in Crete and are planning to allow our chickens, ducks, geese and turkeys to roam free over a large area. If they go off and emerge a few weeks later with babies (which is what we hope will happen) in tow what is the best thing to do? Do we isolate Mum and her babies until they grow, or do we let her look after them amongst the others? Do we need to keep them separate to give them chick crumb, or will mum do all this? As you can tell I am a complete novice! :?

 

[Davidd]

Hi, if the area is large enough and you have no predators then it should be fine- as long as they can have their own space. You can put down chick crumbs etc once they bring the babies out. I don't know if you have many/any predators- do you have hawks/eagles/foxes/stoats/weasels or similar?
regards, David

 

[CarolynEarley]

we have no foxes, but do have polecats and badgers in the area as well as buzzards, and neighbourhood cats. The area will be large (about 1000 square metres, and is going to have three sides enclosed by fencing and then a natural 6 foot bank to complete it.