Broody hen become protective of chicks that aren't hers?

Date sort Score sort
Sorry, I can't get a better picture. She won't come out and gets a little testy when I come and bother everyone. She is black, with bluish highlights on feathers, not large and other than when she's broody, a pretty calm hen. She lays brown eggs.
 
This may not work owing to age of the chicks. Both chicks and hen have window where imprinting on other possible. If either party not primed to imprint, then imprinting will not occur. Process must be two way to work.
 
If they aren't attacking each other, I would leave them and let them get used to each other. The most important is if the hen is still accepting them.
She looks like my Australorp.
 
Quick update, just checked them and about 7 chicks seem to have taken to her. One was cuddled with her, one on her back and the other 5 about an inch away. Not so much for the other chicks.
 
Hopefully the other chicks will catch on and copy the ones that are reacting to their new mum. Glad she gets to indulge her motherly instincts.
 
Things did not quite go as hoped. She is fine with the dark chicks but pecks at the lighter ones. But at least at night she calms them down to sleep.
400
 

Similar threads

H
    • Like
Mother hen protecting chicks against one hen but not the other
Replies
8
Views
1K
Hellomylittleladies
H
R
Combining Chicks of Different Ages
Replies
5
Views
292
rural mouse
rural mouse
M
Bringing chicks to a broody hen
Replies
2
Views
175
Ridgerunner
Ridgerunner
A
    • Like
Broody hen and five week old chicks
Replies
1
Views
717
Debbie292d
Debbie292d
Fluffaloo
    • Like
Integrating Broody hen and chicks to flock-advice?
Replies
2
Views
274
Fluffaloo
Fluffaloo

New posts New threads Active threads

Back
Top Bottom