broody adopting hatchery chicks

[ChicksR4Me]

Quote:
This broody and 2 babies are in a seperate coop from the rest of the flock. They have connecting runs but and will be able to see each other once the babies go outside but do not have access to them. The only adult bird that will have access to them will be the mama chicken. Right now the 10 hatchery chicks are in 2' x 4' brooder box with heat lamp.. food and water.

 

[bumpershoot]

I gotta tell ya, I just dropped the broody into the mix. It was obvious she was thrilled and it would have been obvious if she hadn't been. I have one last round of meaties coming this weekend with no broody to give them. It actually makes me kind of sad because I think the babies miss out not having a Momma. Life ain't always fair though.

 

[D'Angelo N Va.]

well if you give them to her, don't just leave. stick around for an hour or two and see how she interacts with them. I think they will be fine and she will love them as much as her own.

 

[Southernbelle]

I've done it. Just last month I had a broody hatch chicks on a Monday and hatchery chicks arrive on a Tuesday and the broody was happy to have them. Just like the others mentioned, I gave them to her at night. By morning, the hatchery chicks smell/look the same as her hatched chicks.

One pointer: If you haven't already...feed and water your hatchery chicks before giving them to the broody because it may take the broody another day or so to get off the nest and the hatchery chicks need something to eat.

 

[ChicksR4Me]

Ok.. I just want to say thank you for all the information and reassurance. I wanted to add some pictures to show what i'm up against. Also I want to let you know that the hatchery chicks have food and water and have been eating and drinking really good. I also have provided chick size feeder and water in with the broody for them as well.

Here are the babies that came from the hatchery:

And here is the broody that I hope will accept them:

also.. today is day 21 for the 2 babies that hatched today and there is one unhatched egg yet in the nest.. Should leave it for a day or so? Thanks

 

[FabulousMandy]

earlier this year I had a broody adopt 5 hatchery chicks with no problems whatsoever. I was extremely nervous because she was SUCH a meanie (and she's normally so sweet but I guess I'm mean too when I'm a hormonal mess

), everytime I went near her she would peck at me and I was convinced that she would kill the chicks. But one night (late, so she would be totally out of it) I decided to just do it and slip her a chick. It was so uneventful; she nudged it under her wing and that was it. I think if you give them to her one at a time late tonight she'll probably think it's one of the two she already has that's slipped out from under her wing, nudge it back in and not think twice about it. She might wake up in the morning perplexed but I don't think chickens are that smart. Good luck!

 

[Matt A NC]

I would have done it during the day. Just cup the chick and slide it under. When it pops its head out the hen will just think it is one of hers. I hatched most of my chicks this year in an incubator, but only raised the last batch. I had good broodies that took them. I just moved a couple barely pipped eggs under the chosen hen. That way at least those would hatch under her which put her in mother mode. Then just add babies. Mamma hen ended up with 11 and did very well.

When Dolly only had 3 babies I ran down to the feed store and bought 3 more for her. She took them, but the chicks were 3-4 days old and took a few hours to accept a mother.

Matt

 

[ChicksR4Me]

I couldn't do it during the day because she was out of the nest when I got home from work chasing the 2 babies she has around the coop. Today is day 21 so i'm pretty sure they hatched today while I was at work but they may have hatched yesterday although I didn't see them as she was on the nest everytime I checked on her. I tried to take a few out there but it is so pitch dark and between holding the flashlight, the chicks.. opening the door... I woke her up and so I''m going to wait till my DH gets home in a little bit and try again. If that doesn't work I have a broody buff orphington that has no babies.. I could give them to her. She is very friendly and i'm not afraid of her. I was just hoping to raise them all together so this winter I wouldn't have to carry water to three different locations. The winters here get cold and we have problems with water freezing and I don't have electricity in the far barn which is where I would have to put the Buff. There isn't anyway she could raise the babies in the coop with the other adult birds is there? The nesting boxes are off the ground and i'm sure the babies would fall out but I have a single box out there that I could sit on the floor.. but wouldn't the other birds kill the babies or would the BO be able to protect them?

 

[ChicksR4Me]

Just to update...DH came home and helped me put the babies with broody mama. She seems to be ok with them but really she's not doing much but sitting on them. The babies seemed to instintivly tuck under her pretty good. DH got pecked a few time but nothing serious.. he's so brave, lol. I feel much better about everything now. I can't wait for daylight to go see how things are going. I'm suposed to be at work at 6:45 but it's not light yet so I may have to go in a little late.. hehe Thank you for all your help. I'll get some pictures tomorrow and post them and tell how all is going. It's time for me to go to bed for tonight. Thanks again!!!!

 

[ChicksR4Me]

I Just wanted to give you all an update on the adoption progress. Last night we managed to get all 10 babies in the nest. When we checked this morning we only saw a few babies peaking out from under mama chicken. But now it's 11:20 am and they have been out of the nest, eating and drinking and she is treating them all as if they were her own.

She has even taken them outside already and they stay really close to her and climb all over her. It's so amazing to watch and the babies are all so very cute!!! She's now raising all 12 chicks!!

I was glad they all went outside because it gave us a chance to get inside and clean up and rearrange so they have more room. We put new bedding in the nesting box and freashed up the water and food. We put a baby waterer inside and one outside. Also there is a larger water hanging outside up higher for mama chicken. 2 jar feeders inside. So I would say we have success!!

I want to thank everyone for their support last! Backyardchicken people are the best

Here is a picture of mama chicken and her new family: