Broody adopting chicks - day/night, tips?

[FlippyHippy]

Bator chicks hatching, and broody mama has been on eggs for over 3 wks so she's very committed. Any tips for introducing?

We tried to move her to a separate area three days ago to prep and she got very stressed.

I've seen some intro during day and some overnight - thoughts?

Any other tips?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

The eggs she's on are not going to hatch, correct?

 

[FlippyHippy]

The eggs she's on are not going to hatch, correct?

Correct. She was on the fertile eggs (we got from a friend. We don't have a rooster) for 18 days, and then we pulled them in to incubate them to hatching because she was leaving the nest for a few hours and we weren't sure if she was abandoning the nest.

I just introduced her to a chick, and she pecked at it. I tucked it up under her wing and removed an egg. Took it out when she started pecking and put it back in the bator.

Should I try again later and do it differently, or at night? Or is this for sure that she just won't accept them?

 

[JacinLarkwell]

Was it a light peck or one that obviously was meant to harm the chick?

 

[aart]

Should I try again later and do it differently, or at night? Or is this for sure that she just won't accept them?

I'd try it well after dark.
tuck them under her from the back.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The way I do it is to wait until it is very dark, remove the eggs, and put the chicks in her nest. I might gently slide a few under her but be careful not to crush them. If you put most in the nest next to her they should find their way under her. Then be down there at daybreak and see how it is going.

Some hens will accept chicks day or night, but I think your odds of success are greater if you do it at night.

Was it a light peck or one that obviously was meant to harm the chick?

This is an interesting question. A peck does not mean things are necessarily bad. A good chicken mommy will sometimes peck a chick to discipline it. She may have been telling that chick, "you get back under me where it is warm and you are safe". It is not always real easy to tell the difference in discipline and intent to destroy.

Put them under her at night and see if they bond.

Good luck!

 

[FlippyHippy]

I tucked them under her wing without her seeing and she's taken them without a worry. 6 under her and 3 still fluffing up in the bator. She's clucking and so happy.