Broody hen...incorporating live chick's

[Hobbits Mommie]

Long story short, I had to re-home Kavanaugh (the aggressive rooster). Now Patty is broody. I only have 5 hens, and would like to bring in a few more chick's but I've read many, many times that you need ot quarantine them and incorporate them slowly for disease issues. I've also read that people have snuck the chick's in under the hen at night to make an instant family.

This is not a HAVE to situation and I want to do what's best for my hens. Educated opinions please!!!

 

[sourland]

Generally hatchery chicks do not need to be quarantined. If it were me I would purchase either sexed or sex link pullets and foster them to the broody in the evening. The longer the hen has been setting and the younger the chicks the greater the possibility that she will accept chicks.

 

[bobbi-j]

Is your broody setting now? If you decide you want her to raise chicks, I would let her set on fake eggs (or rocks or golf balls) for close to the 3 week incubation time (no, she can’t count days, but most have an internal clock that tells them when time is up), then slip a few chicks under her at night, removing the eggs. I have done this successfully many times.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Agree with sourland.

Hatchery/feed store chicks do not require quarantine.

I adopt chicks successfully ALL the time.

If you aren't going to giver her eggs or chicks... breaking sooner than later is the best choice... and you can always plan ahead for next time... as I have never yet had a broody that didn't repeat the performance at least once or twice per year.

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

Is your broody setting now? If you decide you want her to raise chicks, I would let her set on fake eggs (or rocks or golf balls) for close to the 3 week incubation time (no, she can’t count days, but most have an internal clock that tells them when time is up), then slip a few chicks under her at night, removing the eggs. I have done this successfully many times.

She's been sitting for almost a month now...

 

[EggSighted4Life]

She's been sitting for almost a month now...

Do it ASAP!!

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

Do it ASAP!!

Just go ahead and get the chicks today? Put them under her after dark? My husbands been dumping her (carefully) out of the nesting box a couple of times a day to retrieve the eggs and she's gotten to be a little grumpy with him, but ALWAYS returns to the box. He's seen her out daily to eat and drink and he said she appears healthy with no no drop in weight that he can see.

 

[bobbi-j]

Yep, if you can get her some babies (the younger the better) today, do it. What I would do is keep them in the house until dark, and then with as little light and commotion as possible, slip them under her. If you let them get just a little chilled, they will more likely be to snuggle under her.

 

[EggSighted4Life]

Just go ahead and get the chicks today? Put them under her after dark? My husbands been dumping her (carefully) out of the nesting box a couple of times a day to retrieve the eggs and she's gotten to be a little grumpy with him, but ALWAYS returns to the box. He's seen her out daily to eat and drink and he said she appears healthy with no no drop in weight that he can see.

Yes... after dark.. the oldest I have been successful at adopting was 6 days. After that the chicks are too mobile and independent not as interested in listening to mum.

You may need to pay attention in the morning, sometimes mum will peck them and tell them to get back under her.

But also make sure they don't accidentally get out from under her and not able to find their way back or get investigated to harshly by flock members. Make feed and water available near the hen and chicks (since they may have already used up their yolk). The first day I go out and make sure mum is shoeing the chicks feed and letting them snuggle back under... as it can be a little confusing for them too sometimes. I don't leave feed at night because chickens don't eat in the dark but rats do. And since my coop is quite dark, I add daytime light so chicks see it's time to eat and play. After I tuck them in, I stand around in the dark listening.. make sure everybody got tucked in good. Then go relax until the morning... and try to check as early as possible and about every hour the following day. Putting a block the first day to keep chicks in and flock members at bay, can be helpful.

I have several local feed stores.. and they all get different breeds from each other weekly during this season... So call around and see what's available to you. Pick chicks that are active and with NO pasty butt... and not less than 2.

 

[Hobbits Mommie]

Yep, if you can get her some babies (the younger the better) today, do it. What I would do is keep them in the house until dark, and then with as little light and commotion as possible, slip them under her. If you let them get just a little chilled, they will more likely be to snuggle under her.

After they're with her, do I need to keep them separated from the other hens or will they all just accept them if she does? If she doesn't accept them...what are my options?