Broody Raised Chicks - sharing chicks?

ashncarson · Apr 26, 2015

We have 11 chicks who where hatched by a broody mom. They are 1-2 days old (some hatched Friday, the last one Saturday morning) They are doing great with mom, but she is not the most protective of them as far as attacking other hens.

We had another hen who was broody at the same time and she seems to think that the babies are hers. she has left the nest boxes and paces back and forth in front of the cage the babies and hen are in (inside the run) when not pacing she sits there. She tries to poster attack my dog through the fence and is super anxious...

I am wondering if I should take 2 or so chicks and give them to her in her own cage in the coop, and see how she does. Would the chicks know the difference?

We wont be keeping all the chicks (we are keeping just a few) long term but for now plan on letting mom raise them.
What would you do?

HEChicken · Apr 26, 2015

I would absolutely split them between the two hens. I always have so many broodies that I'm always anxious to break as many broodies as possible with any group of chicks though, so my opinion may be colored there, but no, the chicks won't know the difference if it is this close to hatch. I separate new mothers with their chicks into individual nursery pens until the mama and chicks are bonded though and then when I let them out, the chicks follow the correct Mama hen.

As for the original hen not protecting from attacking hens.....first, I've never had other hens attack the chicks so I'm not sure what to think of that but second, the hen will not have the confidence to protect against other hens higher in the pecking order than she is - that doesn't change. That is another reason I like to separate initially so that the hen isn't stressed by feeling that she can't protect her chicks.

ashncarson · Apr 27, 2015

HEChicken said:
I would absolutely split them between the two hens. I always have so many broodies that I'm always anxious to break as many broodies as possible with any group of chicks though, so my opinion may be colored there, but no, the chicks won't know the difference if it is this close to hatch. I separate new mothers with their chicks into individual nursery pens until the mama and chicks are bonded though and then when I let them out, the chicks follow the correct Mama hen.

As for the original hen not protecting from attacking hens.....first, I've never had other hens attack the chicks so I'm not sure what to think of that but second, the hen will not have the confidence to protect against other hens higher in the pecking order than she is - that doesn't change. That is another reason I like to separate initially so that the hen isn't stressed by feeling that she can't protect her chicks.

Thanks for your reply HEChicken! It's been so long since I have been in the KS group, I was surprised to see you answer! Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the chicks!

They are doing great right now, so I am having trouble deciding what to do, as far as sharing, but I know they would both be good moms. The chicks and mom would have to stay in a pen most of the time and I am only able to free-range every few nights for a hour or so in the evenings.

I am hoping to find a barred rock chick in my area to add in, but no such luck yet! I have always wanted one!

Broody Raised Chicks - sharing chicks?

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