Allotment Gardening Advice Help Chat

Poultry and Pets => The Hen House => Topic started by: bantam novice on July 16, 2011, 21:12

Title: Day old chicks under broody hen
Post by: bantam novice on July 16, 2011, 21:12

I have been considering what to do about two broody hens that I have.  I was wondering if it would be feasible to put day-old chicks under one of them?  Would she kill them or adopt them?

Title: Re: Day old chicks under broody hen
Post by: joyfull on July 16, 2011, 21:20

depends on the broody, but if you decide to go ahead (and it has worked each time I have done it) make sure you have a broody box with heat lamp ready just in case she does reject them.

Title: Re: Day old chicks under broody hen
Post by: bantam novice on July 16, 2011, 21:45

Thanks Joy  :)

Title: Re: Day old chicks under broody hen
Post by: curries on July 17, 2011, 08:35

Hi, following Joyfull's advice when my eggs didn't hatch i did the same thing, mine were actually 3 day old chicks as I couldn't get any day olds and she took to them immediately, and them to her which i found amazing when they had never even seen a mum before.  I know each will be different but i say go for it, mine are 6 weeks old now.  Good luck.

Title: Re: Day old chicks under broody hen
Post by: joyfull on July 17, 2011, 10:24

your best bet is to get them under her in the afternoon - with one hand slide a chick under her and at the same time remove an egg, repeat until done. Shut her up in the dark and check after an hour to see all is well. Good luck xx
Glad yours are ok Curries - I introduced some week old chicks to a mum who already had some at 2 weeks old and my top broody did wonderful - the older ones wanted to go out but the little ones having been kept in a brooder for a week weren't to keen so mum divided her time between the two - running in and out for a week. Now all 13 are out and about running all over the place  :D