Broody hen help,please

[CityGirlintheCountry]

I put mine in a plastic dog crate in the coop and they did just fine. I left her open to range about until the day the eggs hatched. I then blocked that area off from the others for a few days. After a few days I let them all mingle together. So far it has worked out fine. Both mama hens have been ferocious little pteryldactals about protecting their babies. They chase everybody away pretty quick. My silkies are in with bantys, so I'm not sure what they would do with LF.

I thought the cold would be an issue, but it hasn't been. When they chicks get cold they dash up under mom to get toasty. See?

 

[katrinag]

With spring right around the corner I would let her sit. Mommy will provide the babies with everything they need. Just make sure she has food and water close by.

 

[redhen]

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ooh, now that is too cute!..

maybe i will just let her sit...

 

[redhen]

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thanks, i think i may give it a try...its just that she is in with my LF hens...so...thats my concern...

 

[katrinag]

Like the other have said you can just stick her in a larger dog crate with food and water. If you can not find or have a crate look on craigslist.
I am bet she make a wonderful mommy. Good luck and keep us posted.

 

[chickensducks&agoose]

I'm in vermont, and we've been down to -25 more than once this winter. My crazy B.O. went broody, and insisted on hatching 1 egg (2 didn't hatch) on X-mas morning. I have them in a tupperware in my husbands shop, with a 60 watt bulb on at night. Mom chicken has been doing a great job taking care of the baby, I think yours will be fine, It's much warmer now than it was in January!!! Have fun!!!

 

[Southernbelle]

The broody mama will protect the babies from the other birds. My 3-month-old EEs thought they'd prove how tough they were by pecking the new chicks and the broody mama went totally Ninja on them complete with sound effects. They keep their distance now!

The only problem I have with co-habitating the birds is that the older birds love the chick feed. I have a dog crate that the baby chicks can fit through the bars, so I thought I may set up the food and water in there for this next wave of babies to keep the older birds out.