Broody hen and baby chicks

[Cbf]

I’ve got a broody hen who is at the bottom of the pecking order. She’s a little Cochin and except for one other Chochin, the other ten are regular sized girls. I want to get bantams for her. My town doesn’t allow roos. Wondering if she would be able to defend the babies if I was to sneak some chicks under her. Also I live in Massachusetts . There’s a minimum of 6 for orders and the only place I can get chicks now won’t have any till the 21st. Thanks for any help.

 

[JaeG]

I would screen her off from the other hens so that they don't disturb her but so they can still see her and the chicks. It's possible they could attack the chicks and if she's at the bottom of the pecking order she may not be able to defend them. So it's best if they can all see them but not have the opportunity to hurt them.

Once the chicks are a few weeks old (perhaps even older seeing as you have bigger breeds) you could try letting everyone mingle in a free range situation if that's possible, but be there to protect the little ones if need be. If your birds are confined to a run I would keep the chicks separate (but in view) until they were full grown.

 

[Cbf]

I would screen her off from the other hens so that they don't disturb her but so they can still see her and the chicks. It's possible they could attack the chicks and if she's at the bottom of the pecking order she may not be able to defend them. So it's best if they can all see them but not have the opportunity to hurt them.

Once the chicks are a few weeks old (perhaps even older seeing as you have bigger breeds) you could try letting everyone mingle in a free range situation if that's possible, but be there to protect the little ones if need be. If your birds are confined to a run I would keep the chicks separate (but in view) until they were full grown.

Yes they free range during the day but they are all together at night and early next day or if I’m not home to watch over them for predators. Great idea! I do have a bird/butterfly garden fenced off in the middle of their free ran area where they could all see each other. And their run is large enough that I could set them off while still enclosed.