5 week old chicks adopted by non broody hen

[Tmaxson01]

Hi all. Haven't been on the forum for years. Been raising chickens for over 13 years and am experiencing something I never thought possible and very interesting, worth a share. We have three 5-week-old (broody hen hatched) chicks who lost their mom to a fox two days ago. They have been integrated with the flock from day one and are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves. A hen that has not even been broody has now decided to adopt them, clucking to them for food and even covered them on the roost last night. Anyone ever experienced anything like this before. I feel like we have chicken miracle happening

 

[Crazy Maizie]

When I introduced two polish chicks to my flock, one of my EEs decided to take on a mothering role with them. It was very sweet to watch. The polish chicks were not newly hatched either. She was just being a good role model.

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Hi all. Haven't been on the forum for years. Been raising chickens for over 13 years and am experiencing something I never thought possible and very interesting, worth a share. We have three 5-week-old (broody hen hatched) chicks who lost their mom to a fox two days ago. They have been integrated with the flock from day one and are perfectly capable of taking care of themselves. A hen that has not even been broody has now decided to adopt them, clucking to them for food and even covered them on the roost last night. Anyone ever experienced anything like this before. I feel like we have chicken miracle happening

I used to have a Japanese hen that adopted any chicks/teens she found. Only ever successfully brooded once, but she didn't need to be broody to adopt birds

 

[WoDia]

@Tmaxson01 I currently have an EE, who is mothering Serama and Mille Fleur d'Uccle pullets and cockerels in my grow-out building. She’s a very friendly and patient girl that unfortunately doesn’t get around well due to an old leg injury. They prefer to snuggle with her at night on her low roost. It’s sweet to watch. Sorry to hear you lost their mother. You’ve got such a wonderful girl to look after the chicks.

 

[LadyArrietty]

Any tips for encouraging this? I have a broody who just lost her clutch to a snake, so we got chicks today and she didn't take well to them. I will try again overnight, but I'll admit, I'm worried about what to do if the broody hen won't raise them

 

[wrathsfarm]

Any tips for encouraging this? I have a broody who just lost her clutch to a snake, so we got chicks today and she didn't take well to them. I will try again overnight, but I'll admit, I'm worried about what to do if the broody hen won't raise them

I've heard the best way is overnight. I've done it once just recently with a single chick hatched from an incubator and adding it to a broody with only one chick and it worked, so not a ton of experience there, but I did as suggested adding the new chick just an hour or so after dark and that gives momma all night to adjust to the new arrivals. I was told to be up bright and early the next day to make sure she accepts it.....good luck.

Edited to add pic for cuteness. The little Black Silver Marans on the left was added overnight.

 

[LadyArrietty]

I've heard the best way is overnight. I've done it once with a single chick hatched from an incubator and adding it to a broody with only one chick and it worked, so not a ton of experience there, but I did as suggested adding the new chick just an hour or so after dark and that gives momma all night to adjust to the new arrivals. I was told to be up bright and early the next day to make sure she accepts it.....good luck.

Thank you! Great idea of trying just a few at a time, I probably stressed her out this afternoon when I shoved all five under her

 

[ChicNmom]

Any tips for encouraging this? I have a broody who just lost her clutch to a snake, so we got chicks today and she didn't take well to them. I will try again overnight, but I'll admit, I'm worried about what to do if the broody hen won't raise them

How long had she been sitting on the eggs? I think it works best when they are close to the 21 days.

I have also added chicks in the evening.

 

[wrathsfarm]

Thank you! Great idea of trying just a few at a time, I probably stressed her out this afternoon when I shoved all five under her

I would add all 5 one after another. I did mine where I covered the chick so if momma could see anything it was the back of my hand.
My broody only hatched one and I only hatched one from the same shipped eggs. So I stuck my 'Solo' under the broody that only had one that next night.


@Debbie292d can you help any here with more to add?

 

[Debbie292d]

I would add all 5 one after another. I did mine where I covered the chick so if momma could see anything it was the back of my hand.
My broody only hatched one and I only hatched one from the same shipped eggs. So I stuck my 'Solo' under the broody that only had one that next night.


@Debbie292d can you help any here with more to add?

Thanks for the tag!

I actually did it during the daytime, but I too hear a lot do it at night. I just rather be standing right there to see if they're going to be okay. If that wouldn't have worked, I'd have tried probably two chicks at night.

I had about a dozen chicks and two broodies, so I divided them between them.

I did like you, sort of sneaky. It's hard when they're in your hand peeping though!

Both moms walked around with the chicks running behind either one. I know the moms didn't know whose was whose either. It worked though!