Broody chicken and day old chicks

[MarlaMac]

I have a broody that I have been trying to break (sort of) for 2 weeks. She is pretty persistent. I really don't mind that she is broody b/c I am getting 6 day old chick on 6/5 that I am planning to put under her that same day if she stays broody that long (if not, I hope another will be broody at that time - I have at least 3 of 14 who are constantly going broody).

The question is, should I allow her to sit on eggs until that day comes or will she be accepting of the new chicks even if she hasn't sat on eggs?

If I sit her on eggs I will buy some eggs from the store b/c I don't want any of the eggs developing under her. I have a rooster and at least some of the eggs will be fertile if I use my eggs.

The reason I am getting day old chicks is b/c I only have black australorps and I want to add some blue australorps to my flock.

Any feedback will be appreciated.

Thank you.

 

[Yardmom]

Do you have golf balls or other round or egg shaped objects. 2 is probably all you need.

 

[MarlaMac]

Do you have golf balls or other round or egg shaped objects. 2 is probably all you need.

I do have fake eggs I could put under her.

If I just put 2 under her and she ends up with 6 chicks, I am guessing she wont be able to do the math.

Do you suggest I start letting her sit on fake eggs now? That will be 15 days until she gets her babies.

Thanks.

 

[Ridgerunner]

The question is, should I allow her to sit on eggs until that day comes or will she be accepting of the new chicks even if she hasn't sat on eggs?

So she has been broody for 2 weeks without sitting in any eggs? And you want her to remain broody another two weeks so you can give her baby chicks.

She will likely remain broody without any eggs but I think your chances are better if you give her a few. I agree, two should be enough. I use golf balls as fake eggs. You can get ceramic or wooden eggs at craft shops. I'd avoid real eggs as they can break. I tried using the colored plastic Easter eggs, filling them with dirt for weight and gluing them shut, but they break apart from the scratching when she will turn the eggs.

 

[MarlaMac]

So she has been broody for 2 weeks without sitting in any eggs? And you want her to remain broody another two weeks so you can give her baby chicks.

She will likely remain broody without any eggs but I think your chances are better if you give her a few. I agree, two should be enough. I use golf balls as fake eggs. You can get ceramic or wooden eggs at craft shops. I'd avoid real eggs as they can break. I tried using the colored plastic Easter eggs, filling them with dirt for weight and gluing them shut, but they break apart from the scratching when she will turn the eggs.

That is correct. We let her out of the broody cage in the morning and in the evening so she can take care of herself. Each time she returns to a nest box and sits on whatever she finds.

Okay, then. I will take her out of broody jail and allow her to sit on a few fake eggs. I like that idea much better than store bought for the reason you mentioned.

Here is praying that she remains broody and accepts these new babies.

Thanks.

 

[Mrs. K]

When you get the babies, give them a drink of water. Just before dark, let them get a little cold, cheeping madly. Wait letting her listen to them from afar.

Then in the dark wearing gloves if needed slip them under her. Her cluck should change and those chilled chicks will burrow in tight. It is that motion under her that flips the switch,

Now for the hard part, close the door and walk away. Interfering often breaks the broody bond.

Good luck

 

[MarlaMac]

When you get the babies, give them a drink of water. Just before dark, let them get a little cold, cheeping madly. Wait letting her listen to them from afar.

Then in the dark wearing gloves if needed slip them under her. Her cluck should change and those chilled chicks will burrow in tight. It is that motion under her that flips the switch,

Now for the hard part, close the door and walk away. Interfering often breaks the broody bond.

Good luck

Thank you.

 

[MarlaMac]

Thank you.

When you get the babies, give them a drink of water. Just before dark, let them get a little cold, cheeping madly. Wait letting her listen to them from afar.

Then in the dark wearing gloves if needed slip them under her. Her cluck should change and those chilled chicks will burrow in tight. It is that motion under her that flips the switch,

Now for the hard part, close the door and walk away. Interfering often breaks the broody bond.

Good luck

So, the day is approaching to go and get my day old chicks and I am starting to 2nd guess my decision. I have had a closed flock since I got my rooster 3 years ago. Before that, I started with 4 gals from a poultry house and added 3 more gals when I brought the rooster home. The later came from a home breeder.

My flock has been healthy except for the occasional bumble foot and I definitely have someone with a reproductive issue as I find a stray soft-shelled egged from time to time. I have no idea who lays these as I have only australorps.

I have never wormed my flock and that one time I though I might have an issue, I took a stool sample for float test and there was no parasites in the stool so I did not treat.

The day old chicks will be delivered to a farm supply store from the hatchery on the day I pick them up (6/5). Since I am driving quite the distance to get them, they told me they will keep the six I want separated for me until I pick them up.

My question is: how big of a risk am I taking bringing these chicks into my flock and placing them with a broody? Broody is currently in a separated portion of our coop, but the area is not isolated. She is sitting on 3 fake eggs.

I want to bring these chicks home, but I don't want to bring home any unwanted contamination with them. This gal has already been broody for 3 weeks. I tried to break her for the first 2 weeks to no avail, and just gave her the fake eggs about a week ago.

Another question is: How should I keep them warm for the 3.5 hour drive home?

Thank you.

 

[MarlaMac]

That is correct. We let her out of the broody cage in the morning and in the evening so she can take care of herself. Each time she returns to a nest box and sits on whatever she finds.

Okay, then. I will take her out of broody jail and allow her to sit on a few fake eggs. I like that idea much better than store bought for the reason you mentioned.

Here is praying that she remains broody and accepts these new babies.

Thanks

So, the day is approaching to go and get my day old chicks and I am starting to 2nd guess my decision. I have had a closed flock since I got my rooster 3 years ago. Before that, I started with 4 gals from a poultry house and added 3 more gals when I brought the rooster home. The later came from a home breeder.

My flock has been healthy except for the occasional bumble foot and I definitely have someone with a reproductive issue as I find a stray soft-shelled egged from time to time. I have no idea who lays these as I have only australorps.

I have never wormed my flock and that one time I though I might have an issue, I took a stool sample for float test and there was no parasites in the stool so I did not treat.

The day old chicks will be delivered to a farm supply store from the hatchery on the day I pick them up (6/5). Since I am driving quite the distance to get them, they told me they will keep the six I want separated for me until I pick them up.

My question is: how big of a risk am I taking bringing these chicks into my flock and placing them with a broody? Broody is currently in a separated portion of our coop, but the area is not isolated. She is sitting on 3 fake eggs.

I want to bring these chicks home, but I don't want to bring home any unwanted contamination with them. This gal has already been broody for 3 weeks. I tried to break her for the first 2 weeks to no avail, and just gave her the fake eggs about a week ago.

Another question is: How should I keep them warm for the 3.5 hour drive home?

Thank you.

Another thought is that when I get the chicks, I could separate momma and the chicks in the house for a week or so and then move them to the separate part of the coop. I don't necessarily like this option as it removes them from the flock.

 

[Ridgerunner]

how big of a risk am I taking bringing these chicks into my flock and placing them with a broody?

I'd consider it a very low risk if they are coming from a major hatchery. Each "farm supply store" is its own business so I don't know where that one is getting its chicks, but if it is a major chain they are almost certainly coming from a major hatchery. There is a risk that people walking around a farm supply store could have chickens at home and could bring in a disease but that is highly unlikely. Besides, yours are going to be kept separately, probably in back and not exposed to the public. I can't give you any guarantees but I would not worry about that at all.

Another question is: How should I keep them warm for the 3.5 hour drive home?

You are in Texas and you will have six. You will probably have the AC on to stay comfortable. I would. You do not need to feed or water them before or during the trip but you can try before you start the trip if you wish. Water can spill while you are driving. Personally I'd have the brooder wet up and ready with food and water before I left so they can go straight in. I'd gas up, eat, drink, and use the bathroom before I picked them up. You do not want to leave them in a parked car with the AC off.

For six chicks I'd use a shoe box with some holes cut in it for fresh air. Put it where the AC is not blowing directly on it. I think they will be fine. Some people might put a hand warmer or something like that in there but I'd be worried more about overheating them than keeping them warm enough.

Good luck!