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Timing is Everthing

post #1 of 3
6/9/12 at 6:45pm
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RATS! I got some eggs for my silkie to hatch so of course they arrive two days after my silke goes out of her broody mood. I tried sticking them under her and she is NOT interested. So I had to buy an incubator, I hope she goes broody again before they hatch. Ive read so many stories about all of the hassles trying to introduce new chicks to an established flock. Last time the silkie hatched a couple of eggs right in the coop and it was no problem for my other chickens to accept the newbies. My question is, is this the exception or the rule?? I was thinking if the chicks are born in the coop with everyone else there from day one, it wasnt so much of a problem for the older hens to accept the new chicks. Thats what Im hoping for to happen again.

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post #2 of 3
6/10/12 at 6:01pm

Not the exception but more the norm.  A good mother will protect the brood until they are accepted by the flock. Or how else have chickens kept themselves going all these years?

I don't get better with age, only more confused(ing).

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I don't get better with age, only more confused(ing).

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post #3 of 3
6/11/12 at 8:00pm

that is how I do it, I don't have an incubator, but have done several broody hens over the years, and it has worked a treat. Have a hen with 14 chicks with the flock since last Saturday.

 

Last year was the big test, as when my chicks were just 4 weeks old, not too big. Something got my broody and 1/2 of the chicks. I was worried, but that night, the chicks and the hens went to the coop like always, and nobody did anything, they were used to each other.

 

imho it is the ONLY way to raise chicks.

 

MrsK

Western South Dakota Rancher
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