Broody Bantam

[duck55]

Hi,

I have an extremely broody bantam and I'm thinking of getting half a dozen hatching eggs for her to hatch. It may be a silly question, but do you think think the other chickens in the pen / coop will accept the chicks? She is in with four red sex link chickens, ex farm egg layers.

 

[Hencraze24]

separate her from the rest of flock for hatching. maybe use the "see but not touch strategy"when they are older. we are doing the same thing with our new pullets with our older hens, and it has been working great.

 

[WVduckchick]

It depends alot on your flock dynamics. Most broodies will protect the babies and teach the other chickens not to touch her babies! But I've also had a few killed.

Separation is a good idea for a week or so, until they get good and mobile, but I've found that the longer you wait for introductions, the harder it gets. Seems to work best while they still hang close to momma. Once they start venturing too far on their own, they become easier targets for mean adults (if any of the adults are so inclined)

 

[duck55]

Thanks for all the suggestions

 

[duck55]

OK, so they eggs arrived and she immediately sat on them. We suddenly thought should we have moved her to begin with. Is it possible to move her to a new coop after a week or so, eggs and all? Are the other chickens likely to peck at the eggs or ignore them? Sorry for all the questions.

 

[duck55]

Looks like we've got a dud clutch of eggs. One out of six showed signs of life when candled. Broody hen has sat full term but nothing as yet and it's now been 22 days

 

[WVduckchick]

Did you candle the eggs?
If your weather had been cold, or if she was off the nest very often, they could be delayed. I’d candle them.

 

[duck55]

Hi,

Yes I did candle originally, twice, and it looked like only one was fertile. We left five for her to sit. Is it still safe to candle as this late stage?

 

[WVduckchick]

If you don't see any pips, or hear any chirping, you can carefully grab each egg and candle them.

 

[duck55]

Thank you. I'll try it tomorrow if there's still nothing happening.