Broody didn’t take chicks at 5:30 - pecked at them should I try at night?

[HippieAtHeart]

She pecked at them when I tried to put them under her. I put them in a brooder for now. Should I try later tonight? What’s the adjustment phase look like?

 

[hysop]

How old are the chicks?

Yes, it’s always best to try at night. Although my broody accepted all 6 of hers during the day all different days. But she must be special

 

[HippieAtHeart]

How old are the chicks?

Yes, it’s always best to try at night. Although my broody accepted all 6 of hers during the day all different days. But she must be special

They were delivered to the feed store yesterday so 2/3 days max. What time should I try, also when should I call it quits and just set up the brooder fully?

 

[hysop]

How long has the hen been broody?

Try at sundown.

It also depends on the chicks. The chicks need to also accept her as a mother just as much as the hen needs to accept them as hers.

Have it set up for now, but don’t lose hope

 

[HippieAtHeart]

How long has the hen been broody?

Try at sundown.

It also depends on the chicks. The chicks need to also accept her as a mother just as much as the hen needs to accept them as hers.

Have it set up for now, but don’t lose hope

She’s been broody for over 2 weeks now. I’ll try then. How will I know it’s safe for them for me to leave them with her?

 

[centrarchid]

She’s been broody for over 2 weeks now. I’ll try then. How will I know it’s safe for them for me to leave them with her?

Needs to be broody for closer to three weeks.

 

[HippieAtHeart]

Needs to be broody for closer to three weeks.

So should I just not try to have her take them? She has been broody for 16 days now

 

[esme13]

I think that may be why she is not quick to take them. She is like a clock and must know her 21 days are not up. You can try in the evening maybe add 2 and see what happens.

 

[centrarchid]

You could keep the chicks very near her for the next couple to few days. During that time she will open to the imprinting process and they will imprint on each other. My hens do not appear open to imprinting until starting about 18 days or so into the incubation process. That appears to be about the time the egg rolling stops. Then the hens hit a sweet spot starting about day 21 where they will take new chicks really easy until the hen starts moving off nest to forage. The hen can still imprint on new chicks, but process not as easy.

 

[HippieAtHeart]

You could keep the chicks very near her for the next couple to few days. During that time she will open to the imprinting process and they will imprint on each other. My hens do not appear open to imprinting until starting about 18 days or so into the incubation process. That appears to be about the time the egg rolling stops. Then the hens hit a sweet spot starting about day 21 where they will take new chicks really easy until the hen starts moving off nest to forage. The hen can still imprint on new chicks, but process not as easy.

If I try tonight would I know right away again if she wasn’t going to take them in or not? I don’t really have a way for them to be near so I will try tonight and if not I’ll have to move to plan b