Broody hen accepted surrogate chicks-now what?

[CorinneK]

I had a hen go broody and I went through the process of giving her 4 chicks. She has happily accepted them and they are now all snuggled up. My question is, what now? Every guide I've read stops here. So far it's been a few hours (around 3) and they have stayed under her the entire time. How often should they be leaving to eat and drink? I have a chick feeder and waterer setup right next to the nest (I moved her to the floor because the nest box was a little too high for the chicks to get in and out of. Will that be okay? She doesn't seem to mind.) and I dipped their beaks in the water a couple of times so they should know where it is.

This is my first time having a hen raise the chicks so I'm trying to make sure I do everything right!

 

[arwoon]

They will be fine, she will show them the food and water. congrats on her successfully adopting them!

 

[Cinnamon Roll]

Your job is mostly done now Keep food and water nearby and mama hen will take care of everything. In addition to that, I would add a dish of chick grit so she can teach them about that too. Congratulations!

 

[CorinneK]

Your job is mostly done now Keep food and water nearby and mama hen will take care of everything. In addition to that, I would add a dish of chick grit so she can teach them about that too. Congratulations!

Thanks! The grit is a good idea, I will definitely do that!

 

[CorinneK]

They will be fine, she will show them the food and water. congrats on her successfully adopting them!

Thank you! That's a relief. Even though the hen is doing all the work this time its somehow more stressful than raising them in a brooder myself. I just need to relax and let her do her job!

 

[Yardmom]

Are they in with the flock? If not Integration into the group will be the next step. There are several ways to approach. Having them in sight of the flock can help the transition.

 

[Auntiejessi3]

Congrats chicky grammy!

 

[CorinneK]

Are they in with the flock? If not Integration into the group will be the next step. There are several ways to approach. Having them in sight of the flock can help the transition.

She is in the shared coop. I kept the others locked out of the run for the first couple of hours to let them bond and when I reopened the gate one of the other hens came in to lay. A few have briefly come by to eat from the feeder as well, but for the most part they hang out in the yard during the day. I've been keeping an eye on them and so far none of them have tried to bother her. She is kind of the boss hen around here so I would be suprised if they tried anything. Should I have her separated or is this okay?

 

[Yardmom]

She is in the shared coop. I kept the others locked out of the run for the first couple of hours to let them bond and when I reopened the gate one of the other hens came in to lay. A few have briefly come by to eat from the feeder as well, but for the most part they hang out in the yard during the day. I've been keeping an eye on them and so far none of them have tried to bother her. She is kind of the boss hen around here so I would be suprised if they tried anything. Should I have her separated or is this okay?
[/QUOTE. That should work great.

 

[CorinneK]

Awesome. Thanks so much!