broody hen and fostered chicks.

[pintail_drake2004]

Hey folks, I have got a broody hen on my hands. I will be getting 48 chicks on May 1, I was wondering if I could get her to foster some of the chicks and take care of them. I figured I'd have her set on some eggs, the put the chicks under her when they get here. Or should I just brood box all the chicks?

 

[red horse ranch]

I've often found that it is easier to just raise them myself. But it is adorable to see a mama and her babies.

 

[stuckinthecity]

Has said broody ever raised chicks? If you're unsure bout her mothering abilities then maybe raising all of them yourself is the best option. I let a hen raise 25 chicks that I ordered PLUS the eight she hatched and had no issues with it. Granted I'm in the south so temps were ideal since game hens are a med size and once they hit 3 weeks couldn't all fit under her... But depending on your set up, it can be SO much easier letting her do all the work. The biggest issue I've had is making sure the water doesn't get filled with shavings while shes looking for food for them. I usually get a piece of plywood about 3ftx3ft to set the water on for the first few weeks until I can raise it off the floor. Usually eliminates that issue. Good luck! Hope to see pics! What breed is she?

 

[ellie62706]

I'd brood the chicks yourself.

 

[bobbi-j]

I'd either let her hatch some or give her some of the babies you're getting. It's fun to watch a broody with babies, and let's face it. She knows far more about being a chicken than we do, and will be much better at teaching the chicks how to be proper chickens. She'll have them out pecking and scratching and doing chickeny things and roosting far sooner than your brooder raised chicks.

 

[pintail_drake2004]

She is a BO, and yes she successfully hatched and raised 7 chicks this past fall. I know she couldn't handle all 48 of the brooder chicks. I guess I'll just brood them in the box.