donrae
Hopelessly Addicted
When the hen hatches the chicks herself, they don't need to eat or drink for the first few days. They absorb that whole egg yolk right as they hatch, and that sustains them for up to 72 hours. That allows momma to stay on the nest and allow any stragglers to hatch. In that case, I don't keep food or water closer cause they usually don't leave the nest.
since you're wanting to add chicks to her, the chicks will likely be 2-3 days old already. When I do that, I do put a waterer close by, and scatter some crumbles in front of the momma. She won't realize her whole clutch has hatched and she doesn't need to set, so she'll probably stay on the nest those few days after you graft chicks to her. Those chicks will have used up their yolk, and need some food. Granted, they don't eat very much, I just scatter a handful around to let them scratch for it. After momma leaves the nest, I pull the food and water and just let them use the regular flock feeder and waterer, just be sure the littles can reach it.
If you've never had a momma raise chicks, you're in for such a treat! Nothing sweeter than patient momma, setting on that nest, calling her babies for the food you've scattered. She'll let them peck her wattles and never flinch, she'll get so excited about the food they come running out from under her to eat, she'll let them climb on her back---and watch out once she starts scratching and teaching them to find food---she'll send things flying across the coop! IMO broody hens raising chicks are the best part of keeping chickens. You'll also find out how tough chicks really can be, and never look at brooding them in quite the same light again.
since you're wanting to add chicks to her, the chicks will likely be 2-3 days old already. When I do that, I do put a waterer close by, and scatter some crumbles in front of the momma. She won't realize her whole clutch has hatched and she doesn't need to set, so she'll probably stay on the nest those few days after you graft chicks to her. Those chicks will have used up their yolk, and need some food. Granted, they don't eat very much, I just scatter a handful around to let them scratch for it. After momma leaves the nest, I pull the food and water and just let them use the regular flock feeder and waterer, just be sure the littles can reach it.
If you've never had a momma raise chicks, you're in for such a treat! Nothing sweeter than patient momma, setting on that nest, calling her babies for the food you've scattered. She'll let them peck her wattles and never flinch, she'll get so excited about the food they come running out from under her to eat, she'll let them climb on her back---and watch out once she starts scratching and teaching them to find food---she'll send things flying across the coop! IMO broody hens raising chicks are the best part of keeping chickens. You'll also find out how tough chicks really can be, and never look at brooding them in quite the same light again.