Broody hen, could be surrogate

[cockadoodledean]

I have a broody hen, been broody awhile, we are getting new chicks in a few weeks, if she is still broody, would it be safe to put her in with the chicks and let her play mom?

 

[balticbabe]

I wonder about this too. I'm sure someone has an answer. I could use a couple of more birds and I'm lazy. It would be great just to sneak a couple of chicks under a setting hen and have her take over.

 

[Ridgerunner]

Many people do this. Often it works great. Sometimes it is a disaster. Either the hen will accept them and raise them or she will try to kill them. It usually works, but there are risks.

What usually works best is to put the chicks under her at night with as little light and commotion as you can manage. The chicks need to be as young as possible so they have not imprinted on anything else, but a good broody will just take them in and keep them under control whether the chicks want it or not. It is a good idea to check on them when she wakes upthe next morning. You can tell pretty quickly if she is going to accept them or if she is going to hurt them.

Good luck!!!

 

[chickenlips1954]

I have a banty who had been broody and sitting on eggs for 21 days, but I took her new chicks inside since it was too cold out. She continued to be broody for another 21 days, so I let her hatch these eggs, but the chicks died when a full size hen crowded her out of her nesting box and stepped on them as they hatched. I went to the feed store and purchased 4 brand new chicks and placed them in front of her (in day light) and she immediately put them under her and has taken excellent care of them for the past two weeks.

 

[michpetea]

I was going to ask this. I have a broody Ameracauna (got her in the Spring and hasn't laid any eggs). I put her in the Winter hen house with a couple hard boiled eggs, waited awhile til she had been sitting on them. I brought our two new chicks (few days old) and added them and the broken shells. She is sitting on them now, but I keep checking. Any hints?