Fostering of chicks didn't work, now what?

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appps

appps

Crowing
11 Years
Aug 29, 2012
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Australia
I have two chicks hatched in the incubator. I just tried to put them under my broody at night but couldn't quite get them to go under without a little light to see what I was doing so she saw them and pecked at them, then backed into a corner all puffed up and rolled the plastic egg she is sitting on under her.

I'm a bit nervous to try again in case she pecks them in the morning when she sees them again. Anyone had this problem as well? Outcome?
 
i have read about it here on BYC. The only option it seems is to remove the chicks and raise them yourself. Leaving them with the hen could well result in the death of the chicks.

CT
 
I just had the same thing happen. One broody started pecking the chicks immediately. Luckily, I had another broody who is now the happy mother of six chicks. It's a good thing they can't count as she only had two eggs under her!

If you don't have another broody, it is best to just raise them yourself.
 
Thanks. I was really hoping to hear it worked second try but thinking I'm not sure I'd be game to try anyway. These are special shipped egg chicks so after all the drama getting the two to hatch I think you are right and I'll play it safe.

Broody box building tomorrow it seems.
 
Last edited:
I had same issue. I tried a broody Chanticlar but she pecked the 4 chick. I tried a Silkie hen that was sitting on eggs. I took the eggs away and left the chicks. She's a good mom now. I did it at night.
 
conventional wisdom says to put the chicks out at night, but I've added them during the day just fine. I'm more available and able to monitor if I'm nervous about momma taking them. A peck or two isn't that big a deal, hens often peck their own chicks a few times as they're working things out around hatch time.

Take the plastic egg(s) out. Let the chicks get a little cool and just drop them on or near her. The chicks will quickly find their way under momma to warm up.
 

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