Advice on Giving Broody Chicks

[gimmie birdies]

I have gotten hens to even sit on older chicks. The way I would do that is at night put the chicks under her and let her sit. (nest box door covered) then I would take them away in the day, I would let them sleep with her 3 nights in a row, then put them together in a brooding area. The above chicks are probably 3-4 weeks old in this pic, and had been with the mom for 2 days.

 

[Acre4Me]

Do you think she will stick with the babies once moved or will she be determined again to go back to her box?

Yes, I think so. Especially if she’s focused on them, and talking to them. You can always remove any extra fake eggs, if any remain.

 

[CaretakerCarol]

Do you think she will stick with the babies once moved or will she be determined again to go back to her box?

If she has been caring for them, she will stick with them. Her broodiness is gone and she is in full mommy mode. So cute!

 

[akf93]

Mama was up earlier than I was, ready to move her chicks. She was in a different nesting box with one chick. Four were running around the coop crying. And one died. not sure if it got cold or maybe trampled by the ducks. I moved them to the corner of the coop attempting a little privacy and protection from the clumsy ducks. Mama spent awhile outside eating and drinking. Took awhile and the chicks were stressed so I set up a lamp fast. She eventually came back and tucked them under her. Hopefully this goes well! This is more stressful than human babies.

Any advice along the way, keep it coming!

 

[Lelilamom]

Aww so sorry about one of the chicks. I've never tried to give chicks to a brooding hen so I was following this post closely. I've had hens leave their own brood early on so sometimes it's just the hen. I hope your hen find motherhood enjoyable!

 

[akf93]

Aww so sorry about one of the chicks. I've never tried to give chicks to a brooding hen so I was following this post closely. I've had hens leave their own brood early on so sometimes it's just the hen. I hope your hen find motherhood enjoyable!

We started with chickens last spring and have brooded them all ourselves. We have two silkies, a buff Orpington, and an OE who has gone broody so we should have lots of mama options! Hoping we can find a good way to do all this to add in a few new chicks to the flock here and there and not have to brood anymore but I don’t know. Definitely a learning experience!

 

[NatJ]

Mama spent awhile outside eating and drinking. Took awhile and the chicks were stressed so I set up a lamp fast. She eventually came back and tucked them under her.

Was the hen eating somewhere the chicks could not follow her?

I would expect the chicks to eat and drink with the mother.
And I've seen hens sit down to warm the chicks, right next to the food so the hen can keep eating her own meal.

 

[akf93]

Was the hen eating somewhere the chicks could not follow her?

I would expect the chicks to eat and drink with the mother.
And I've seen hens sit down to warm the chicks, right next to the food so the hen can keep eating her own meal.

I have that small bowl of starter feed and water there by the chicks. She wanted to go out where she normally eats. The chicks can’t go out yet. There’s a ledge in the way and a two foot ramp/drop and it’s below freezing this morning.

 

[AnchoredHomestead]

I have that small bowl of starter feed and water there by the chicks. She wanted to go out where she normally eats. The chicks can’t go out yet. There’s a ledge in the way and a two foot ramp/drop and it’s below freezing this morning.

This is my apprehension with letting our new momma and her brood out of their confined area. The ramp down out of the coop to the run looks so big for the chicks and the temps are 20-something plus wind chill.

 

[akf93]

This is my apprehension with letting our new momma and her brood out of their confined area. The ramp down out of the coop to the run looks so big for the chicks and the temps are 20-something plus wind chill.

Would it work to tip that tote up so the chicks are confined but mama can hop in and out? At least til the chicks are old enough to hop out themselves?