Better to brood with a hen or in a brooder?

[tkdmommy]

We had to rehome one of our chicks that we brooded because it turned out to be a cockerel. We are going to the farm for a new pullet- since we are only getting one or two are we better off letting a broody hen take care of the chick or putting them in a brooder? I have a broody silkie & a black Jersey Giant.

 

[Pork Pie]

It all depends on whether your hens are broody at the moment, and even if so, it appears that sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Personally, i would go with a broody, but I would advise that you get at least three chicks, in case one dies (a lone chick will not thrive and be a happy camper).

Best wishes

CT

 

[azygous]

Get at minimum two chicks, please! A lone chick will have a perennially hard time in life with no mate. They derive self confidence at this stage in life from being with their fellow chicks.

You Silkie would be the better broody. The Jersey Giant might squash it with her ponderous weight. Unless it is also a JG like her. But as CT points out, it would be disastrous unless a hen is really broody, and she has to have been broody for a couple to three weeks for it to work.