Broody Hen; Is it okay to give her babies?

[ChickenRaiser95]

I have a hen that has been trying to set for the last 2 months, we just started leaving her eggs in her box yesterday. She stayed on them all day yesterday, but was off them this morning and they were freezing cold. I have some eggs in my incubator that will be hatching tomorrow, and I also have a few 2 week old chicks. My hen is almost a year old and is very protective of her eggs, even when she isn't on them. Would it be worth it to try to give her a few babies? She is a Cochin Bantam. If so, should I try a few of the soon-to-hatch ones, or the older ones after a week or so? I have a special area for a broody hen I could put her in with the chicks to keep her warm if I decide to. Her mother was never successful at hatching chicks, I brought the eggs in to incubate them.

 

[Judy]

I would try it. Put the chicks under her just after dark, to give her the night to get used to them. I let my mamas raise the chicks in with the flock. You might want her separate for the first night or two, til she is used to the chicks, but once they are up and running around, she should protect them from the others. Be sure you feed everyone starter feed, for the chicks' sake. The rest of the flock will be fine eating starter. Laying hens will probably need some oyster shell on the side for the calcium.

 

[ChickenRaiser95]

She is already sitting on some eggs, could I just switch hers out for some pipping eggs that will hatch today? I have her settled in her area and she is all comfy and safe. I want to add some jungle fowl and brahmas to my flock, and it would be so cool if one of my hens could raise them. I have all of those eggs in the incubator now. The first of 39 eggs just started pipping last night. To me, it seems everything is just set up perfect.

 

[ChickenRaiser95]

I gave my hen 1 chick to start. A freshly hatched one. I didn't want to switch the eggs, but just try to let her foster them. Now she has 7 little babies. She is so sweet and protective towards them. They all snuggle underneath her and climb all over. It is just too cute to watch.