1st time Broody Momma

[Chick-N-Fun]

Hi BYC peeps!
I have been incubating mixed barnyard eggs in my Special Education classroom for years with very successful hatches. I currently have 18 eggs due to hatch on Monday with very anxious students and teachers! All of these hatchlings have homes waiting for them.......I am planning on bringing 6 chicks home with me. (I am raising them for my neighbor who lost his entire flock to predators.)

At home, my 1 year old Black Copper Maran hen became broody about 10 days ago. My best friend has a Cochin rooster with a Black Copper Maran hen, 2 Wyandotte hens, a Lavendar Orpington hen and a Swedish Flower hen. She gave me 5 (hopefully fertile) eggs to put under my sweet Liberty. Liberty has been on the eggs since May 11th. She gets up a couple times a day to eat, drink, poop and stretch. When the coast is clear, she immediately runs back to her clutch. When I go to check on her and collect any new eggs under her, she hasn't tied to bite me. She just puffs up and "growls" at me. I plan on candling the eggs this weekend to check for development. The eggs are due to hatch on June 1st.

Here's my question.........Do I remove the hatchlings immediately and put them in my brooder or keep them under Liberty, sectioned off in the coop from the other flock. I am so worried that she will try to hurt/kill her babies since this is her first time being a momma and MY first time hatching chicks with a hen!! My classroom chicks will be 11 days old on Liberty's hatch day and I don't feel comfortable mixing them together at that much difference in age. Plus, I'd like to keep my own flock away from any outside illnesses, etc...

I want to be proactive and ready to take care of Libery's babies without injury....
Any advice would be greatly appreciated from those of you who have more experience. Thank you in advance!

 

[ChickNanny13]

Recommend leaving the hatchings with Liberty but section (chicken wire) off the coop from the rest of the flock. She's a first time Mama so my thinking the less interference from the flock = less stress on her adjusting to being a Mama yet she's still with the flock as are her chicks, at least for the first week. AND keep a close eye on her as she is a 1st timer.

IF you need to separate the new chicks, you could add to your classroom chicks, again separating with chicken wire part of the brooder. That way they see each other yet can't hurt the younger ones. Once you're comfortable with their interaction, remove the partition.

Just an idea ... Best wishes

 

[Chick-N-Fun]

Thank you ChickNanny!
I see that you live in Hawaii.... I hope that volcanic eruption has not affected you or your loved ones..... ♥

 

[chickens really]

Yes...Do not allow the incubator Chicks near her and her nest. Separate them because Mommas are vicious over Chicks..

 

[ChickNanny13]

Thank you ChickNanny!
I see that you live in Hawaii.... I hope that volcanic eruption has not affected you or your loved ones..... ♥

We're fine in Hilo although the winds have shifted so we're now getting some Vog (fumes). Those living in that area (Volcano) know what comes with living there. So many displaced families right now but the Community & State are coming together to help out. The ones I really feel for are those with livestock and animals, those that have the space are offering pasture, fostering and the Humane Society's helping with searching and housing what they can.

Thank you all for your concerns