Placing Under Broody

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FeatheryFriend5

FeatheryFriend5

In the Brooder
5 Years
Dec 4, 2014
17
2
37
Hello to the Backyard Chicken Community!

Please know that I am aware that this question has been raised up on multiple accusations. However, I feel more at ease when I'm given a direct response ^^
Anywho, my Orpington Chicken (Miss Sassy) has decided that she'd like to become a mother and, although I do have prior experience in regards to baby chicks, I've completely forgotten:

- What is the best method with it comes to placing the eggs under the hen (also should I remove her from the flock prior to the placement)
- And how long/old should the chicks be before taking them outside/ introducing them to the flock

Anyway, please let me know and thank you so much to the people who take the time to answer my question ^^

Gemma
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ԅ(●‿回´)
 
move her at night, and if there are any eggs under her before you give her the ones you want her to brood make sure she can't see them

when you remove them! it might be a good idea to slightly warm the eggs you want to put under her before you do so.

you could probably move the chicks at about a week old, just observe them for a while to make sure the other birds aren't being too aggressive, the mother will protect her babies.
 
If you are going to move her, give her some fake eggs until she settles back down on nest good and tight.
Then put fresh fertile eggs under her.

Best to keep her in view of the flock with plenty of room outside the nest to get up to eat, drink, stretch, poop.
Barrier between broody nest and flock can be taken down once mama gets them off the nest and eating, drinking, and moving around well.
 
Hi there, I have the same question about moving the newly hatched chicks out to be with the broody hen in the coop. The hen hatched one chick and abandoned the other eggs. We took the other eggs in to incubate and we think 1 or 2 will hatch soon. We assumed it's better for the chicks to grow up in the less sanitary environment, like the coop vs a cage, so it's a more natural upbringing...and she'll have the guidance of the mother hen. Did you ever find out the best time? Temperature might be a factor. It's 70s and 80s here now but not for long, and nights can get chilly from 40s to 60s. Also, there are two other hens in there with them. They seem to mind their own business and the broody momma is boss so we just figured they are fine together.
 
LongevityKitchn said:
Hi there, I have the same question about moving the newly hatched chicks out to be with the broody hen in the coop. The hen hatched one chick and abandoned the other eggs. We took the other eggs in to incubate and we think 1 or 2 will hatch soon. We assumed it's better for the chicks to grow up in the less sanitary environment, like the coop vs a cage, so it's a more natural upbringing...and she'll have the guidance of the mother hen. Did you ever find out the best time? Temperature might be a factor. It's 70s and 80s here now but not for long, and nights can get chilly from 40s to 60s. Also, there are two other hens in there with them. They seem to mind their own business and the broody momma is boss so we just figured they are fine together.
Click to expand...
Broody might or might not accept more chicks...best bet is to try to sneak them under her at night when they are no more than a day old.
How long between chick hatching under broody and the incubator hatch?
Hen usually won't abandon nest for a couple days after first chick hatches, then she needs to take chicks out to eat
This is why you put eggs under broody all at the same time, so you don't have a staggered hatch.
Too much of an age gap in chicks complicates things, younger ones will need to stay under mama but mama and older chicks need to get up and go eat, drink, etc..
 
Hi, All!
I'm just curious, my neighbour has decided to place chicks under my broody hen, so what precautions do I need to take? (will separating her be required?)
Thanks again, my Feathery Friends! ^^
 

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