Broody hen not accepting baby chicks

[schatzi011]

We put the chicks under the hen last night around 10pm. She didn't seem to mind the mini commotion. This morning, they are all still alive and tucked under her. I couldn't sleep much last night and checked at 5am hoping they weren't all dead.

This morning, when one of the chicks was visible, the hen seemed to kinda peck it, but not really aggressively. I'm not sure if she was trying to hurt it, or trying to make it go back underneath her. The chick seemed fine and crawled back under the hen.

For now, I've locked the other chickens out of the coop. They'll just lay in the run today and I'll let them back in the coop tonight. Then I plan on doing that for a couple days, and then move the hen with the chicks to the crate.

I put little dishes with starter feed and water in the coop near the hen so hopefully the chicks will eat. It is the same dishes the chicks were using yesterday and they were eating just fine (when I had them in a cardboard box in the house).

Any other ideas of how to go about this or suggestions for improvement?

 

[centrarchid]

She will not go from total rejection to acceptance all at once. The transition will take place over a few hours. Watch her during day until bonding complete as it is when she can see that pecks will be directed at chicks. Based on your description bonding not complete.

 

[50-45-1]

Make sure the water dish has marbles or small rocks in it so the chicks can not drown.
Sounds like your broody has accepted them.
Next step is making sure they have a ground nest. And if you have a ramp, they will likely need assistance getting back up in the coop. Chicks dont understand ramps and aften become stranded under the coop.
Congratulations!

 

[schatzi011]

The hen still hasn't left the nest. I usually don't see her leave the nest at all. I removed all the eggs already.

Should I take the hen out later today? Or just leave them till she's ready to walk around with the chicks?

 

[NatJ]

Leave her, I think. If the chicks are able to pop out to eat and drink, and go back under to warm up and sleep, then they'll be fine for the day. And by the next day, she and the chicks will be more used to being a family together.

 

[schatzi011]

I went out later, and the three chicks were huddled together in a corner away from the hen. She did peck at one when I put it closer, but not very aggressively, so I put the three chicks back under her, and she let them be. They seem to be huddled under her backside, to avoid her beak. But the hen seems to be accepting them now. I'll check them throughout the day and tonight make sure they're back tucked underneath her.

 

[NatJ]

Maybe the chicks are still learning that the hen is where they should go to get warm. If they were used to a heat lamp before you bought them, then a hen would be quite a change.

Sounds like it's going well overall

 

[centrarchid]

I went out later, and the three chicks were huddled together in a corner away from the hen. She did peck at one when I put it closer, but not very aggressively, so I put the three chicks back under her, and she let them be. They seem to be huddled under her backside, to avoid her beak. But the hen seems to be accepting them now. I'll check them throughout the day and tonight make sure they're back tucked underneath her.

As I stated earlier, process not yet complete. Consider placing chicks in some sort of a container and keep them very close to the hen so she can talk to them, but not hurt them. The imprinting process is a three way street; hen talks to chicks, chicks talk to hen, and chicks talk to chicks.

 

[schatzi011]

I checked on them last night to make sure the chicks were all safely under the hen and they were. Here's a pic I snapped this morning. The hen has now accepted the chicks and vice versa. They know to run under her when they're cold. I saw them eating from the dish this morning, then they all went back under her (except this one that is on top peeking out at me).

 

[centrarchid]

I checked on them last night to make sure the chicks were all safely under the hen and they were. Here's a pic I snapped this morning. The hen has now accepted the chicks and vice versa. They know to run under her when they're cold. I saw them eating from the dish this morning, then they all went back under her (except this one that is on top peeking out at me).

Keep up the good work!